Development and testing of the Nursing Role Model Competence Scale (NRMCS)

Although contact with appropriate role models is considered essential for adequate professional socialization, no instruments exist for the measurement of role modeling or role model competence in nursing. The aim of this study was to develop and test a measure of perceived role model competence. Initial item sources for the Nursing Role Model Competence Scale (NRMCS) were literature-based. Twenty nine items were compiled for content validity assessment by two panels of persons identified as clinical and educational role models. Eight additional items were added as a result of the expert review and mailed to 2,000 baccalaureate and higher degree nurses in a southwestern state. Of the 1,053 respondents, 951 provided complete data on the NRMCS. Psychometric evaluation of the NRMCS included item-total correlations (.42-.70), principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation (51% of the variance accounted for), reliability estimation using alpha and theta estimates (> .77) and item-factor correlations (.41-.70). The four NRMCS factors--Positive Regard, Competence, Assertive Leader and Professional Advocate--were statistically compared, with five of the six comparisons resulting in significant differences. Respondents with higher professional scores were found to rate their role models as more competent on the NRMCS factors.