Relationships Among Individual and Hospital Characteristics and Self-Efficacy in Labor Support Among Intrapartum Nurses in Texas

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore the relationships among individual and workplace characteristics and self-efficacy in labor support among intrapartum nurses. DesignCross-sectional survey. SettingOnline distribution from April to August 2020. ParticipantsMembers of the Texas section of the Association for Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (N = 106). MethodsI conducted descriptive analysis on individual and workplace characteristics, including scores on the Self-Efficacy Labor Support Scale. I conducted backward stepwise multivariate linear regression to assess the factors associated with self-efficacy in providing labor support. ResultsYears as an intrapartum nurse had a positive association with self-efficacy in labor support. Experience with open-glottis pushing, the overall cesarean birth rate, and the use of upright positioning during labor and birth were also positively associated with self-efficacy in labor support. Conversely, lack of recognition by providers was negatively associated with self-efficacy in labor support. ConclusionFindings suggest that modifiable factors at the individual and hospital levels are associated with nurses’ self-efficacy in labor support. Hospitals must work to engage in obstetric practices that are congruent with providing labor support, including the use of experienced nurses to mentor new nurses and the creation of a unit culture to reinforce the intent of individual nurses to provide labor support.