Social support and factors associated with self‐efficacy among acute‐care nurse practitioners

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship of nurse practitioners' social support as well as other factors associated with perceived self-efficacy. BACKGROUND: There is a growing demand for nurse practitioners in Taiwan, for whom self-perceived efficacy is associated with performance. Nevertheless, research on the self-efficacy and social support of nurse practitioners is limited. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional survey study. METHODS: Questionnaires were distributed to nurse practitioners in seven hospitals in northern Taiwan from May 2015 to March 2016. In total, data from 335 (78% return rate) certified nurse practitioners were analysed. Social support was measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ), and perceived self-efficacy was measured by the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE). Data were analysed by ANOVAs with post hoc test and multiple linear regression. RESULTS: The mean score for self-efficacy was 27.60 ± 6.17. Support scores were 11.574 ± 2.37 for supervisors, 12.795 ± 1.92 for coworkers and 64.07 ± 10.16 for family, friends and significant others. nurse practitioners in the high monthly salary group had significantly higher self-efficacy than nurse practitioners in the medium and low monthly salary group (F = 8.99; p < .01). Social support from coworkers (β = 0.18, p < .01) and family, friends and significant others (β = 0.15, p < .01) and a higher monthly salary were significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: The self-efficacy of nurse practitioners in hospitals in Taiwan is insufficient. Monthly salary and levels of social support were found to contribute to nurse practitioners' self-efficacy. Thus, to enhance nurse practitioners' self-efficacy and work performance, nursing leaders should address these issues. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The findings inform hospital administrators to be aware of the importance of salary in relation to nurse practitioners' perceptions of social support and self-efficacy.