Relationship between Self-Efficacy and Clinical Skill Competence of Nursing Students

Abstract

Purpose: This study was done to identify the relationship between self-efficacy and clinical skill competence of nursing students. Method: The participants in the study were 375 student nurses enrolled in 3rd & 4th year of a BSN program in Seoul and Gyeongi province, Korea. Data were collected from December 12, 2004 to November 30, 2005 using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.0 Win program. Results: The average score for self-efficacy was $3.21{pm}0.60$, and for clinical skill competence $2.80{pm}0.42$. The self-efficacy score showed a significant difference according to student's year in college (t=2.494, p=0.013), and GPA score (t=4.299, p=0.000). The clinical skill competence score showed a significant difference according to year in college (t=5.351, p=0.000), GPA score (t=2.997, p=0.003) and satisfaction with course (F=5.214, p=0.006). There was a significant positive correlation between self-efficacy and clinical skill competence (r=0.224, p=0.000). Conclusion: These findings show that there is a need to develop strategies to improve self-efficacy for student nurses in Korea. And also, it is recommended that programs to improve clinical skill competence need to be included in nursing curricula.