Nursing students' self-efficacy and clinical decision-making in the context of medication administration to children: A descriptive-correlational study.

Background: It is crucial for nursing students to possess self-efficacy in medication administration to children for correct drug implementation. It is expected that nursing students enhance their clinical application skills in the pediatric field before graduation, execute the clinical decision-making process, and acquire self-efficacy in medication administration.

Aim: This research was conducted to examine the self-efficacy and clinical decision-making levels of nursing students in the context of medication administration to children.

Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted with 368 students. The data were collected using the "Participant Information Form", the "Medication Administration Self-Efficacy Scale in Children for Nursing Students", and the "Clinical Decision-Making in Nursing Scale". Number, percentage, minimum and maximum values, mean and standard deviation, Independent Samples T-Test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation test were used in the analysis of the data. In addition, Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was calculated to evaluate the reliability of the scales. The research report of the study followed the STROBE guidelines.

Results: In the study, the mean score of the students on the Clinical Decision-Making in Nursing Scale was slightly low; the mean score of the Medication Administration Self-Efficacy Scale in Children for Nursing Students was found to be moderate; and a significant and negative relationship was determined between the two scales. The clinical decision-making levels of the male students, the fourth-year nursing students, and those who did not experience anxiety during medication administration were found to be significantly higher. The self-efficacy of the students who did not experience anxiety during medication administration to children was found to be significantly higher than the others.

Conclusion: Nursing students need to possess self-efficacy in administering medication to children and be able to make clinical decisions. Given the significant impact of the clinical decision-making process on patient outcomes and safety, it is necessary to develop educational programs to enhance the clinical decision-making abilities of nursing students. Different educational methods that will increase students' self-efficacy in medication administration to children need to be implemented.