SELF-EFFICACY - A MEANS OF IDENTIFYING PROBLEMS IN NURSING-EDUCATION AND CAREER PROGRESS

Two nursing self-efficacy scales (academic and clinical) were develope d and refined for use in identifying problems in progress in undergrad uate nurses. Emergent factors within each scale contained items repres enting important aspects of nursing education. Both measures showed go od internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validi ty. Sensitivity to content and focus of tuition at time of completion was shown with some changes in factor structure over samples of first year nursing students. Academic self-efficacy (but not clinical self-e fficacy) was predictive of course withdrawal. Applications to nursing education, progress in pursuing a nursing career and attrition are dis cussed.