Psychometric Properties of the Korean Version of the Nursing Profession Self-Efficacy Scale

Background Self-efficacy in the nursing profession has been reported to have a positive effect on personal performance in terms of clinical performance and decision-making abilities, nursing performance, professional intuition, organizational commitment, and turnover intention. Purpose The purpose of this study was to verify the validity and reliability of the Korean version of the Nursing Profession Self-Efficacy Scale (K-NPSES). Methods This methodological study used questionnaires collected from 307 nurses at medical institutions in South Korea. The content validity of the questionnaire was verified using the averaging method, whereas the criterion-related validity was evaluated by calculating the correlation with the Sherer General Self-Efficacy Scale. The construct validity was determined by analyzing the explanatory and confirmatory factors. Reliability was verified using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest by calculating intraclass correlation coefficients. Results The content validity index of the K-NPSES was found to be greater than .95, and the criterion-related validity was satisfactory (coefficient = .57, p < .001). The original Nursing Profession Self-Efficacy Scale has two subfactors, and the K-NPSES analyzed in this study has four subfactors. The data were appropriate for factor analysis using Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (.87) and Bartlett's sphericity test (chi(2) = 1236.01, df = 137, p < .001). The model fit was acceptable (normed chi-square [chi(2)/df] = 2.22, root mean square residual = .05, root mean square error of approximation = .09, comparative fit index = .88, Tucker-Lewis index = .86, goodness-of-fit index = .83). Regarding reliability, Cronbach's alpha was .91 and the intraclass correlation coefficient was .78 (p < .001). Conclusions/Implications for Practice The findings of this study confirmed the K-NPSES as having acceptable validity. In addition to predicting nursing clinical performance, a well-established nursing profession self-efficacy scale may be used to improve the quality of clinical nursing.