Self-efficacy in Clinical Nurse Specialists During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived self-efficacy of the clinical nurse specialist working in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore whether there was any difference in self-efficacy based on practice focus (spheres of impact) and if differences existed between self-efficacy and demographics.

This study used a nonexperimental, correlational, cross-sectional design utilizing a voluntary, anonymous, 1-time survey administered through Qualtrics (Qualtrics, Provo, UT).

The National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists and 9 state affiliates distributed the electronic survey starting late October 2021 through January 2022. Survey content consisted of demographics and the General Self-efficacy Scale, which measures the individual's perceived ability to cope and execute tasks when faced with hardship or adversity. Sample size was 105.

Results included a high perception of self-efficacy of the clinical nurse specialist working during the pandemic, no statistical significance in practice focus, and a statistically significant difference in the scores of self-efficacy for participants with previous infectious disease experience compared with those without experience.

Clinical nurse specialists with previous infectious disease experience can guide policy, be utilized in multifaceted roles to support future infectious disease outbreaks, and develop training to prepare and support clinicians during crises such as pandemics.