Saudi Journal of Medicine (SJM)
Volume-10 | Issue-02 | 40-54
Original Research Article
Assessment of Clinical Confidence among Jose Rizal University Level III Nursing Students in the Psychiatric Ward
Leticia P. Lopez, Caroline San Juan, Taghreed Hussien Alboelola, Nancy Domingo Sanchez
Published : Feb. 17, 2025
Abstract
Background: Clinical confidence, a subset of general confidence, is vital in healthcare. For nursing students, developing clinical confidence is essential as it directly affects their competence in providing care, ability to handle stress, and overall professional growth. Objective: To assess the level of clinical confidence among Level III nursing students at Jose Rizal University during their psychiatric ward clinical rotation. Materials and Methods: Convenience sampling was the method used to obtain responses and out of the one hundred sixteen (116) level III nursing students, ninety (90) students were selected as respondents. The thirty (30) remaining students served as respondents for the pilot study. The study modified and adapted the questionnaire from an Australian survey by Mr. Thomas Cowley entitled “Evaluation of Undergraduate Nursing Students' Clinical Confidence Following a Mental Health Recovery Camp,” published on February 01, 2016. From the adapted and modified questionnaire, a Google form survey was used in the study to collect data on respondents' clinical confidence in the psychiatric ward. The data for level III nursing students at Jose Rizal University was collected on June 21, 2024. Results: Most of the student population falls within the 19-21 age range. 65 are female, accounting for 72.2% of the population. Level III nursing students at Jose Rizal University exhibit strong clinical confidence in seeking support (WM = 4.29, SD = 0.69) and managing client relationships, including empathizing with clients (WM = 4.20, SD = 0.67) and establishing boundaries (WM = 4.20, SD = 0. However, they indicate a need for improvement in medication knowledge (WM = 3.76, SD = 0.69) and patient education (WM = 3.88, SD = 0.70). Additionally, it revealed no significant difference in clinical confidence levels among Level III nursing students assigned to the psychiatric ward when grouped by sex (p = 0.23) or age (p = 0.536). Conclusions: The data indicates that students are generally neutral to agree with their confidence across various competencies, with a median of 4 for all items. The standard deviation (SD) values, which range from 0.63 to 0.76, reflect a consistent level of agreement among the students. This consistent agreement highlights the students' confidence in their clinical skills and knowledge within the psychiatric ward. These findings indicated that level III nursing students possessed a solid foundation of clinical confidence in psychiatric settings, with strength in seeking support and managing client relationships, but with a noted area for growth in specific medication knowledge and patient education.