Strengthening Self-Efficacy in Nursing Students as Preparation for Admission to Clinical Practices at a university in Boyacá – Colombia

Abstract

Introduction: Nursing students when entering clinical practices are faced with making use of all their personal and emotional resources to adapt to a challenging context. In this scenario, the concept of self-efficacy is essential to assertively assume this process. Objective: To describe the implementation of didactic strategies to strengthen self-efficacy in nursing students as preparation for entering clinical practices at a university in the department of Boyacá (Colombia). Methods: Reflection article derived from research, where five workshops with 44 fourth-semester Nursing students are documented, creating spaces for self-reflection and awareness in strengthening self-efficacy in the context of the development of an Action Participation Research study. Results: Self-efficacy is a skill that involves different internal and external characteristics and tools in its development; This is clearly influenced by the way in which students develop their autonomy, communicate, make decisions and apply them in daily life. The family, academic peers, and teachers are facilitators, guides and motivators in the development of personal and academic self-efficacy. Conclusions: Developing didactic activities as preparation for the beginning of clinical practices allows the strengthening of self-efficacy and contributes to the achievement of favorable academic results; thus, training must focus on both technical-scientific aspects and competencies related to decision-making and coping with academic, work and personal difficulties.