Date of Award

3-31-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

School Name

College of Health Professions

Department

Business Administration

Major Advisor

Dr. Lori Minton

Second Advisor

Dr. Lyndsey Blair

Third Advisor

Dr. Rebekah Knauer

Abstract

While nursing shortages are increasing and nurses are reporting higher rates of burnout and job-related stress, it is critical that educators in pre-licensure nursing programs identify strategies to better prepare novice nurses for entering the workforce. Using Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory as a framework, this study sought to investigate whether a senior clinical practicum experience increases general and nursing competence self-efficacy, which may indicate better ability to cope in the face of adversity. This study was a quantitative one-group pretest-posttest design, investigating undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students from accredited institutions in Kentucky. Results suggest that the clinical practicum has little effect on general self-efficacy but can help to improve nursing competence self-efficacy. The investigated variables of practicum unit, number of preceptors, and preceptor level of experience had no effect on the change in self-efficacy. The results of this study could help improve how the senior practicum experience is implemented and help nurse educators identify strategies to increase self-efficacy of novice nurses entering the workforce.

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