Psychometric Evaluation of the Personal Mastery Scale Among Italian Nurses: Assessing Personal Mastery in the Nursing Profession

Background and Purpose: Personal mastery is essential in the nursing profession, as it directly impacts the quality of care and the well-being of the nurses themselves. However, there is a lack of psychometrically reliable tools to measure it among nurses. This study evaluates the applicability of the Personal Mastery Scale (PMS) among Italian nurses. Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed Italian nurses using self-administered questionnaires, including the PMS. A total of 209 healthcare workers, primarily nurses, from various operational units participated in the study. The majority of respondents (84.2%) were nurses. The gender distribution was predominantly female (83.3%). Results: Statistical analyses, including factor analyses, assessed the scale's reliability and validity. The scale demonstrated adequate internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = .670) and construct validity. Conclusions: The Italian version of the PMS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing personal mastery among nurses. Understanding personal mastery is crucial for promoting resilience and delivering quality care. Further research should explore its relationship with outcomes and intervention effectiveness.