Organizational Learning: The Missing Link to Promote Nurses' Professional Self-Efficacy

Creat Nurs. 2020 Feb 1;26(1):e40-e47. doi: 10.1891/1078-4535.26.1.e40.

Abstract

Introduction: Nurses are one of the important sources of organizational learning, and the main elements of knowledge transfer in hospitals. They can play a major role in the process of organizational learning. One of the factors affecting nurses' learning is self-efficacy.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between organizational learning and professional self-efficacy among nurses.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 nurses in Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital in Zahedan City, Iran in 2018, selected by simple randomized sampling. Tools used were the Neefe Organizational Learning Questionnaire (Neefe, 2001), and Riggs and Knight's Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (1994).

Results: The results showed a significant positive correlation (p <0.05) between self-efficacy scores and the organizational learning dimensions of systems thinking, team learning, and shared vision. Linear regression analysis showed that these three dimensions of organizational learning predicted 16.1% of the professional self-efficacy variations.

Discussion: Organizational learning has a direct relationship with nurses' professional self-efficacy. Promotion of organizational learning characteristics in hospitals will enhance nurses' self-efficacy.

Keywords: organizational learning; self-efficacy; shared vision; systems thinking; team learning.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Job Satisfaction*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / psychology*
  • Nursing Staff, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Professional Role / psychology*
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult