An evaluation of nursing students' learning self-efficacy: A multi-dimensional instrument development and structural validation

Background: Nursing learning self-efficacy (NLSE) is essential in nursing students' learning, and since it is a task-dependent construct, accurate measurements require a multidimensional instrument.

Objective: This research aimed to develop and validate a multidimensional NLSE instrument to measure Taiwanese nursing students' views of nursing learning self-efficacy.

Design: The cross-sectional study design was used for this investigation.

Participants: The study included 1143 nursing students from a nursing junior college.

Methods: To assess the validity and reliability of the instrument's factors, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were utilized. Conceptual understanding, higher-order cognitive skills, practical work, everyday application, and nursing communication were identified as five factors. A comparison of five proposed models was also conducted.

Results: The study found that the correlated and one-factor second-order models were acceptable and provided a simple structure for evaluating nursing students' perceptions of NLSE. Furthermore, a specific model with two second-order scales (Cognition and Application) and one first-order scale (nursing communication) was identified, highlighting the crucial role of nursing communication in nursing students' self-efficacy.

Conclusions: Evaluating nursing students' learning self-efficacy using a valid and reliable instrument is crucial for understanding their learning confidence. The creation of such a scale constitutes the primary contribution of this study.