Self-efficacy as a mediator in the relationship between clinical learning environment and core nursing competence of intern nursing students: a multicentre cross-sectional study

Self-efficacy played a role in explaining the beneficial association between the clinical learning environment and core nursing competence among Chinese intern nursing students. These findings suggest that nursing managers and educators should initially promote nursing students' self-efficacy to increase their confidence in overcoming clinical obstacles, and subsequently cultivate their core nursing competence.