Self-efficacy in Quality Improvement Competency of Frontline Acute Care Registered Nurses

Abstract

Background: Registered nurses (RNs) are attuned to health care quality and safety concerns but may lack competency in quality improvement (QI) to advance care quality. Purpose: To describe frontline acute care RNs' self-efficacy in QI competencies, evaluate differences based on educational attainment, and evaluate relationships based on years of RN experience. Methods: The study used a descriptive, quantitative, correlational, comparative cross-sectional survey design to evaluate RNs' self-efficacy in QI competency using the 2021 American Association of Colleges of Nursing The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. Results: Frontline RNs' overall QI self-efficacy showed variability in knowledge, skills, and attitudes, with no relationship between self-efficacy and years of RN experience, nor difference based on educational attainment. Conclusions: Insufficient self-efficacy signals the need for further QI focus in nursing education, nursing practice, and health care policy to harness RNs' ability to advance care outcomes.