P11 - Improving the Quality of Care of Older Adults through Self-Efficacy: A Pilot Study

Purpose: This pilot study will provide the first published study examining NP students’ self-efficacy in caring for community dwelling older adults. The specific aims include evaluating NP students’ self-efficacy in treating community dwelling older adults and establishing validity of self-efficacy tool developed for NP students.

Rationale/framework: Faculty utilize evaluative modalities to assess students’ mastery of NP competencies, however determining NP students’ self-efficacy in translating knowledge into practice is seldom assessed. Self-efficacy, a component of Bandura’s social cognitive theory, is the belief in one’s ability to perform specific activities.

Methods: Adult/gerontology primary NP students will complete an unfolding case study (UCS) created by NLN for undergraduate nursing simulation experiences. The authors expanded the UCS, creating an assignment for NP students that assesses critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning skills. The story follows the fictional life of an 80-year-old widower, living alone and managing his diabetes independently. After developing a diabetic foot ulcer, his condition worsens resulting in frequent NP office visits and hospitalization. As students listen to audio monologues and read written narratives, they must identify diagnoses, determine changes in treatment plans, and develop a transitional care plan. This UCS closely parallels the trajectory of medical, functional, and psychosocial problems that confront community dwelling older adults living alone.

Bandura opines that there is no self-efficacy scale that can be used for all settings; suggesting that a scale should be developed to assess the domain one is evaluating. The authors have developed a 9-item self-efficacy scale, Caring for Community Dwelling Older Adults Self-Efficacy Scale (CCDOASES), to assess NP students’ confidence in recognizing and implementing alterations in treatment given evolving medical condition changes. Participating students will complete the CCDOASES and general self-efficacy scale (popular validated tool) before and after the UCS assignment.

Results: The study will be completed summer 2021, results will be available prior to GAPNA conference.

Applicability: NP students transition into the role of healthcare provider, ultimately being responsible for managing complex geriatric health conditions. 

Learning Outcome: After completing this learning activity, the participant will be able to assess innovations being used by other professionals in the specialty and evaluate the potential of implementing the improvements into practice.