Self-Efficacy and Knowledge of Intensive Care Nurses in the Management of Pressure Injuries

This study was conducted to determine the knowledge and self-efficacy of intensive care nurses in the management of pressure injuries and to identify the relationship between these two variables.

This descriptive and correlational study was conducted with 203 nurses working in the intensive care units of a public hospital in Turkey. Data were collected with a nurse information form, the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool 2.0, and the Pressure Ulcer Management Self-Efficacy Scale. Nurses completed paper questionnaires.

The nurses had a knowledge score of 11.06 (44.2% correct) and a self-efficacy score of 72.22 for pressure injury management. No significant relationship was found between total knowledge and self-efficacy scores; however, weak but significant correlations were identified between the subscales. Additionally, significant differences were observed in the total and subscale scores of both the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool 2.0 and the Pressure Ulcer Management Self-Efficacy Scale according to gender, education level, seniority, and work unit.

The nurses showed limited knowledge but high self-efficacy in the management of pressure injuries, suggesting that self-efficacy is influenced not only by knowledge but also by attitudes and clinical skills.