Self‐confidence, gender and academic achievement of undergraduate nursing students

Abstract

Accessible summary In view of the fact that early development of self‐confidence and gender are very predictive of high levels later in life, it is important to focus on the possible antecedents of academic achievement. The study was undertaken to examine the role of self‐confidence development and gender in academic achievement of undergraduate students. Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the self‐confidence levels of nursing students and the factors related to such self‐confidence. Data were obtained via a questionnaire for socio‐demographic characteristics and a ‘Self‐Confidence Scale’ prepared by the researchers. High self‐confidence levels were noted in 78.6% of female students and 92.3% of male students. While 84.5% of second‐year students had high self‐confidence levels, this rate was 76% in fourth‐year students. Female nursing students were significantly less self‐confident than male students. Self‐confidence should be nurtured in a caring nursing curriculum; however, there is a lack of clarity as to what confidence means, how it is perceived by students and what educators can do to instil self‐confidence in nursing students.