Self-efficacy and clinical competence of fourth-year nursing students: A self-reported study

Abstract

The current investigation aims to assess the level of clinical competence and self-efficacy of fourth-year nursing students, and its relationship to the students' demographic characteristics. To achieve this, the researchers used a quantitative-comparative approach. The respondents of the study were fourth-year nursing students from the University of Hail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who were identified through convenience sampling with all fourthyear students. The clinical competence questionnaire and general selfefficacy scale tools were adapted for use in the study. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the participants' demographic characteristics, level of clinical competence, and level of self-efficacy. The Pearson r test was also utilized to explore the relationship between the study variables. Both the level of clinical competency (m = 3.50, SD = 1.252) and self-efficacy (m = 3.23, SD = 0.837) of the students was high. The Pearson r test indicated no significant correlation between the students' clinical competence level and gender. However, a significant correlation was noted between the students' clinical competence level and program type, civil status, and age. No significant correlation was found between the students' self-efficacy level and gender, civil status, or age, yet a significant correlation was found between the students' self-efficacy level and program type. A significant correlation was also noted between clinical competence level and selfefficacy level. The students had high clinical and self-efficacy levels, which nursing students must display to perform acceptably within standard roles and responsibilities in clinical settings. Hence, the fourth-year nursing students had the clinical capabilities to organize and implement the necessary courses of action.

The Influence of Internship Year on Nursing Students’ Perceived Clinical Competence: A Multi-Site Study

“…The core nursing skills subscale was the highest competence reported by Albagawi et al (2019), followed by general performance, whereas in our study, behavior skills and general performance were both higher than core nursing skills. One possible explanation for the difference is that our study recruited participants from different nursing programs across Saudi Arabia, whereas Albagawi et al (2019) only examined one program site. Finally, the level of perceived clinical competence among the nursing students in our study was higher than that in a study conducted in Saudi Arabia that measured senior nursing students’ perceived clinical competence after a simulation-based learning experience (Fawaz & Alsalamah, 2022).…”

“…This finding indicates that nursing students have a higher perceived clinical competence compared to the fourthyear nursing students in Albagawi et al's (2019) study. The core nursing skills subscale was the highest competence reported by Albagawi et al (2019), followed by general performance, whereas in our study, behavior skills and general performance were both higher than core nursing skills. One possible explanation for the difference is that our study recruited participants from different nursing programs across Saudi Arabia, whereas Albagawi et al (2019) only examined one program site.…”

“…In Saudi Arabia, only one study has measured fourth year nursing students’ perceived clinical competence. Albagawi et al (2019) conducted a study that aimed to measure the perceived clinical competence of fourth year nursing students in Saudi Arabia using the research the clinical competence questionnaire (CCQ), which ranged between 1 and 5. Students reported having the highest competence in the core nursing skills subscale ( M = 3.58), followed by general performance ( M = 3.57), advanced nursing skills ( M = 3.46), and nursing professional behaviors ( M = 3.39; Albagawi et al, 2019).…”

The socio-demographic profile and coping mechanisms of inmates in Lanao del Sur province, Philippines

“…Another study determined mindfulness as an alternative method in managing anxiety, depression, burden, and other related mental health problems. These results agree with the study by Albagawi et al (2019), which stated that self-efficacy helps an inmate to firmly believe in their ability to adapt and respond to difficult situations, solve and cope with complex problems and manage any associated problems. The self-efficacy of inmates is an essential factor as it positively influences their ability to function effectively and adapt to stressful situations inside the jail.…”

Phenomenological inquiry on nursing science international students’ experiences in a non-native English pre-clinical learning environment

“…Some participants were able to utilize those strategies by themselves or within their respective social circles. Further, these adaptive responses also prepare them to manage challenging situations in their senior year in nursing (Albagawi et al, 2019).…”