Effects of Academic Self-Efficacy, Communication Clarity, Communication Confidence, and Self-Determination Learning Motivation on Clinical Competence of Nursing Students in the COVID-19 Pandemic Situation: Changes in teaching methods due to the COVID-19 situation

Abstract

Objectives The purpose of this study is to understand the effects of academic self-efficacy, communication clarity, communication confidence, and self-determination learning motivation on clinical competence of nursing students in the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
 Methods From May 2-24, 2021, this study surveyed total 224 students enrolled in the Department of Nursing Science in three universities through the convenience sampling method. Using the IBM SPSS 25.0 Statistical Program for data analysis, total five variables were analyzed by using the descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression.
 Results The clinical competence of research subjects was higher than the moderate level, and in the score of each area, the nursing technique and interpersonal relationship/communication were the highest. The clinical competence according to the general characteristics showed statistically significant differences according to the clinical performance satisfaction, matter of receiving the practice of adult healthy nursing, major satisfaction, clinical practice satisfaction, and academic achievement. The academic self-efficacy, communication clarity, communication confidence, and self-determination learning motivation had positive correlations with clinical competence. The clinical practice satisfaction, academic self-efficacy, communication clarity, and communication confidence had effects on clinical competence.
 Conclusions In order to increase the clinical competence of nursing students in the limited environment under the COVID-19 pandemic situation, it would be necessary to enhance the academic self-efficacy, and also to improve the communication clarity and confidence required in field. To improve such elements, it would be also needed to develop/apply the systematic simulation practice program similar to intramural practice and clinical situation.