Effects of clinical practicum on nursing students' self-efficacy: Example of internal medicine wards

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of clinical practicum on nursing students' self-efficacy (perceptions of confidence and importance) in internal medicine wards and the factors affecting it. Design and Methods: The single group pre-post descriptive study was conducted with 134 final-year nursing students practicing in internal medicine wards. Findings: At the beginning of the practicum, the mean score of confidence and importance subscales were 3.72 ± 0.77 and 4.25 ± 0.57, respectively. At the end of the practicum, the mean score of confidence and importance subscales were 3.91 ± 0.70 and 4.81 ± 0.76, respectively. We found that there was a significant improvement in both subscales at the end of the practicum (p < 0.05). Practice Implications: Clinical practicum positively affects students' self-efficacy in internal medicine wards