Bridging the gap: the mediating role of self-efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nurses
Abstract Background Pediatric nurses operate in high-stakes environments characterized by emotional, cognitive, and physical demands. Excessive workload can undermine nurses’ ability to perform effectively, particularly when compounded by low self-efficacy. Core competencies such as clinical judgmen...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Nursing |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03522-x |
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| author | Abdelaziz Hendy Rasha Kadri Ibrahim Naglaa Hassan Abuelzahab Amna Nagaty Aboelmagd Hanan F. Alharbi Nasiru Mohammed Abdullahi Lisa Babkair Yasir S. Alsalamah Zainab Attia Abdallah Waad Hasan Ali Wesam Taher Almagharbeh |
| author_facet | Abdelaziz Hendy Rasha Kadri Ibrahim Naglaa Hassan Abuelzahab Amna Nagaty Aboelmagd Hanan F. Alharbi Nasiru Mohammed Abdullahi Lisa Babkair Yasir S. Alsalamah Zainab Attia Abdallah Waad Hasan Ali Wesam Taher Almagharbeh |
| author_sort | Abdelaziz Hendy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Pediatric nurses operate in high-stakes environments characterized by emotional, cognitive, and physical demands. Excessive workload can undermine nurses’ ability to perform effectively, particularly when compounded by low self-efficacy. Core competencies such as clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, and communication are essential to pediatric nursing performance and are susceptible to the influence of psychological and environmental stressors. Aim This study aimed to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between workload and core competencies among pediatric nurses in Egyptian governmental hospitals. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2024 to February 2025 with 198 pediatric nurses recruited from PICUs, NICUs, and pediatric wards using convenience sampling. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires including the NASA Task Load Index (workload), General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Core Competence Scale for Paediatric Specialist Nurses. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess direct and indirect effects. Results Nurses reported high workload (M = 63.79, SD = 10.21), low self-efficacy (M = 18.90, SD = 4.12), and low core competencies (M = 76.74, SD = 11.56). SEM results showed that workload negatively predicted self-efficacy (β = -0.285, p < 0.001), and self-efficacy positively predicted core competencies (β = 2.186, p < 0.001). Self-efficacy mediated the relationship between workload and core competencies, with a significant indirect effect (β = -0.624, p < 0.001). Conclusion Self-efficacy acts as a psychological buffer against the negative effects of workload on professional performance. Enhancing nurses’ self-efficacy through targeted interventions may mitigate workload-related declines in core competencies and improve pediatric nursing care. Clinical trial number Not applicable. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-af21c5dcc51144179b37a2c1ad4b7553 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1472-6955 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Nursing |
| spelling | doaj-art-af21c5dcc51144179b37a2c1ad4b75532025-08-20T04:01:53ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-07-0124111110.1186/s12912-025-03522-xBridging the gap: the mediating role of self-efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nursesAbdelaziz Hendy0Rasha Kadri Ibrahim1Naglaa Hassan Abuelzahab2Amna Nagaty Aboelmagd3Hanan F. Alharbi4Nasiru Mohammed Abdullahi5Lisa Babkair6Yasir S. Alsalamah7Zainab Attia Abdallah8Waad Hasan Ali9Wesam Taher Almagharbeh10Pediatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Ain Shams UniversityNursing Department, Fatima College of Health SciencesDepartment of Maternal &Child Health Nursing, College Nursing, Majmaah UniversityFaculty of Nursing, Department of Pediatric Nursing, Minia UniversityMaternity and Pediatric Nursing Department, College of Nursing, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityDepartment of Psychiatric and Mental Health and Community Health, College of Nursing, Qassim University Bhurayda Saudi ArabiaFaculty of Nursing, King Abdulaziz UniversityDepartment of Nursing, Mental Health Hospital, Qassim Health ClusterCommunity Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI)Department of Nursing Management and Education, College of Nursing, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman UniversityMedical and Surgical Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing, University of TabukAbstract Background Pediatric nurses operate in high-stakes environments characterized by emotional, cognitive, and physical demands. Excessive workload can undermine nurses’ ability to perform effectively, particularly when compounded by low self-efficacy. Core competencies such as clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, and communication are essential to pediatric nursing performance and are susceptible to the influence of psychological and environmental stressors. Aim This study aimed to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between workload and core competencies among pediatric nurses in Egyptian governmental hospitals. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2024 to February 2025 with 198 pediatric nurses recruited from PICUs, NICUs, and pediatric wards using convenience sampling. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires including the NASA Task Load Index (workload), General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Core Competence Scale for Paediatric Specialist Nurses. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess direct and indirect effects. Results Nurses reported high workload (M = 63.79, SD = 10.21), low self-efficacy (M = 18.90, SD = 4.12), and low core competencies (M = 76.74, SD = 11.56). SEM results showed that workload negatively predicted self-efficacy (β = -0.285, p < 0.001), and self-efficacy positively predicted core competencies (β = 2.186, p < 0.001). Self-efficacy mediated the relationship between workload and core competencies, with a significant indirect effect (β = -0.624, p < 0.001). Conclusion Self-efficacy acts as a psychological buffer against the negative effects of workload on professional performance. Enhancing nurses’ self-efficacy through targeted interventions may mitigate workload-related declines in core competencies and improve pediatric nursing care. Clinical trial number Not applicable.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03522-xPediatricsSelf efficacyWorkloadNursing staffHospitalProfessional competence |
| spellingShingle | Abdelaziz Hendy Rasha Kadri Ibrahim Naglaa Hassan Abuelzahab Amna Nagaty Aboelmagd Hanan F. Alharbi Nasiru Mohammed Abdullahi Lisa Babkair Yasir S. Alsalamah Zainab Attia Abdallah Waad Hasan Ali Wesam Taher Almagharbeh Bridging the gap: the mediating role of self-efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nurses BMC Nursing Pediatrics Self efficacy Workload Nursing staff Hospital Professional competence |
| title | Bridging the gap: the mediating role of self-efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nurses |
| title_full | Bridging the gap: the mediating role of self-efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nurses |
| title_fullStr | Bridging the gap: the mediating role of self-efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nurses |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bridging the gap: the mediating role of self-efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nurses |
| title_short | Bridging the gap: the mediating role of self-efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nurses |
| title_sort | bridging the gap the mediating role of self efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nurses |
| topic | Pediatrics Self efficacy Workload Nursing staff Hospital Professional competence |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03522-x |
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