Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version of the Nursing Profession Self-Efficacy Scale

Abstract

Background: Self-efficacy in the nursing profession has been reported to have a positive effect on personal performance in terms of clinical performance and decision-making abilities, nursing performance, professional intuition, organizational commitment, and turnover intention.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to verify the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Nursing Profession Self-Efficacy Scale (K-NPSES).

Methods: This methodological study used questionnaires collected from 307 nurses at medical institutions in South Korea. The content validity of the questionnaire was verified using the averaging method, whereas the criterion-related validity was evaluated by calculating the correlation with the Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale. The construct validity was determined by analyzing the explanatory and confirmatory factors. Reliability was verified using Cronbach's α and test-retest by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients.

Results: The content validity index of the K-NPSES was found to be greater than .95, and the criterion-related validity was satisfactory (coefficient = .57, p < .001). The original Nursing Profession Self-Efficacy Scale has two subfactors, and the K-NPSES analyzed in this study has four subfactors. The data were appropriate for factor analysis using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (.87) and Bartlett's sphericity test (χ2 = 1236.01, df = 137, p < .001). The model fit was acceptable (normed chi-square [χ2/df] = 2.22, root mean square residual = .05, root mean square error of approximation = .09, comparative fit index = .88, Tucker-Lewis index = .86, goodness-of-fit index = .83). Regarding reliability, Cronbach's α was .91 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was .78 (p < .001).

Conclusions/implications for practice: The findings of this study confirmed the K-NPSES as having acceptable validity. In addition to predicting nursing clinical performance, a well-established nursing profession self-efficacy scale may be used to improve the quality of clinical nursing.