Factors affecting the self efficacy of intensive care nurses in enteral nutrition practices

This study was carried out to determine the factors affecting the self-efficacy level of intensive care nurses applying enteral nutrition. The study was descriptive and correlational. The study was conducted on 300 nurses working in the adult intensive care units of a training and research hospital. Data were collected using Personal Information Form and Self-Efficacy Scale in Enteral Nutrition Practices. In the results obtained, it was determined that the self efficacy levels of the participants related to enteral nutrition practices differed significantly according to the level of education, the intensive care unit where they worked and the participation in scientific activities. The results emphasise the importance of regular in-service training programmes and awareness-raising studies on the use of guidelines in order to improve nurses' self-efficacy in enteral nutrition practices. In addition to trainings, it was determined that interventions such as implementing standard protocols to facilitate nurses' access to information, encouraging teamwork and organising workload should be carried out. The findings of the study show that increasing the knowledge and skills of nurses in enteral nutrition practices will contribute positively to the quality of patient care.