Cultural self-efficacy of licensed registered nurses in New Mexico

This study determined the level of cultural self-efficacy of licensed Registered Nurses caring for multiethnic patients (White non-Hispanic, Hispanic, African American Native American and Asian American) in New Mexico, and the level of influence of various background and demographic variables. The sample consisted of 1000 randomly selected New Mexico licensed RNs. The Cultural Self-Efficacy Scale, developed by Bernal and Froman (1987), was modified and used to measure the confidence level of the licensed Registered Nurses. It is a 25-item Likert-type scale that groups cultural self-efficacy ratings into three categories: (a) knowledge of cultural concepts; (b) self-efficacy in performing cultural nursing skills; and (c) knowledge of cultural life patterns for specific ethnic groups. The data show that RNs in New Mexico are moderately efficacious in caring for patients/clients of cultures other than their own. Few demographic variables (age, number ofyears an RN) correlated with higher cultural self-efficacy levels. This study provided information on practicing nurses in New Mexico which, to date, was non-existent. Licensed Registered Nurses in New Mexico are moderately efficacious in caring for patients of five cultural/ethnic groups.