Professional values and nursing self-efficacy in the Italian context. Correlational descriptive study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Nurses' professional values (NPVs) and self-efficacy (SE) are crucial for professional identity and patient care.
• Existing research has not explored the relationship between NPVs and SE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and clarify the relationship between nurses' professional values and self-efficacy.
• To enhance the understanding of these fundamental aspects in nursing.

Main Methods:

• Observational, correlational, multicentric study using questionnaire-based surveys.
• Data collected via the Nursing Professional Values Scale (NPVS-3) and Nursing Professional Self-Efficacy Scale (NPSES).

Main Results:

• A total of 532 nurses participated, with 65.6% being female (median age 42, median 15 working years).
• Significant positive correlations were found between various domains of NPVs and SE.
• These relationships were consistent across different geographical areas.

Conclusions:

• Increased professional values correlate with increased self-efficacy in nurses, positively impacting patient care and outcomes.
• Age, years of work, and geographical area significantly influence NPVs and SE.
• Interventions supporting nurses' value structures and providing motivation are essential for future generations.