Organizational Learning: The Missing Link to Promote Nurses' Professional Self-Efficacy

Abstract

IntroductionNurses are one of the important sources of organizational learning, and the main elements of knowledge transfer in hospitals. They can play a major role in the process of organizational learning. One of the factors affecting nurses' learning is self-efficacy.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the association between organizational learning and professional self-efficacy among nurses.MethodologyA cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 nurses in Ali Ibn Abitaleb Hospital in Zahedan City, Iran in 2018, selected by simple randomized sampling. Tools used were the Neefe Organizational Learning Questionnaire (Neefe, 2001), and Riggs and Knight's Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (1994).ResultsThe results showed a significant positive correlation (p <0.05) between self-efficacy scores and the organizational learning dimensions of systems thinking, team learning, and shared vision. Linear regression analysis showed that these three dimensions of organizational learning predicted 16.1% of the professional self-efficacy variations.DiscussionOrganizational learning has a direct relationship with nurses' professional self-efficacy. Promotion of organizational learning characteristics in hospitals will enhance nurses' self-efficacy.