The relationship between resilience, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction among NPs and the impact of experience and education.

Background: NP work expectations have increased with the growth of the NP profession. Assessing the levels of resilience, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction of NPs and determining if years of experience as an NP and educational level were associated with those variables were the focuses of this study.

Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was utilized. Participants included NP members of a state professional nursing organization and NPs employed in a large academic healthcare system. Multiple demographic variables, including personal and work-related variables, and resilience, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction were measured. Resilience was measured using the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC 10) and the Predictive 6-Factor Resilience Scale (PR6). Self-efficacy was measured by the Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES). Job satisfaction was measured by a two-item, 5-point Likert scale created by the investigators.

Results: Among the 128 NP participants, on the PR6, Doctor of Nursing (DNP)-educated NPs had significantly higher scores on the dimensions of vision, tenacity, and health and on overall mean score. Resilience as measured by the CD-RISC 10, self-efficacy, and job satisfaction were also higher for DNP-educated participants, but their scores did not differ significantly from those with a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Resilience and self-efficacy were positively correlated. Years of experience as an NP and age were not significantly associated with resilience, self-efficacy, or job satisfaction as measured by the PR6, CD-RISC 10, GSES, or job satisfaction scale.

Conclusion: Resilience and self-efficacy are strongly associated and may complement and strengthen each other. Providing NPs with tools to strengthen their ability to remain resilient during challenging times is critically important and may prevent NP turnover.