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. 2025 Jul 21;24(1):956.
doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03522-x.

Bridging the gap: the mediating role of self-efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nurses

Abdelaziz Hendy  1 , Rasha Kadri Ibrahim  2 , Naglaa Hassan Abuelzahab  3 , Amna Nagaty Aboelmagd  4 , Hanan F Alharbi  5 , Nasiru Mohammed Abdullahi  6 , Lisa Babkair  7 , Yasir S Alsalamah  8 , Zainab Attia Abdallah  9 , Waad Hasan Ali  10 , Wesam Taher Almagharbeh  11
Affiliations

Bridging the gap: the mediating role of self-efficacy in the impact of workload on core competencies among pediatric nurses

Abdelaziz Hendy et al. BMC Nurs. .

Abstract

Background: Pediatric nurses operate in high-stakes environments characterized by emotional, cognitive, and physical demands. Excessive workload can undermine nurses' ability to perform effectively, particularly when compounded by low self-efficacy. Core competencies such as clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, and communication are essential to pediatric nursing performance and are susceptible to the influence of psychological and environmental stressors.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between workload and core competencies among pediatric nurses in Egyptian governmental hospitals.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2024 to February 2025 with 198 pediatric nurses recruited from PICUs, NICUs, and pediatric wards using convenience sampling. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires including the NASA Task Load Index (workload), General Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Core Competence Scale for Paediatric Specialist Nurses. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used to assess direct and indirect effects.

Results: Nurses reported high workload (M = 63.79, SD = 10.21), low self-efficacy (M = 18.90, SD = 4.12), and low core competencies (M = 76.74, SD = 11.56). SEM results showed that workload negatively predicted self-efficacy (β = -0.285, p < 0.001), and self-efficacy positively predicted core competencies (β = 2.186, p < 0.001). Self-efficacy mediated the relationship between workload and core competencies, with a significant indirect effect (β = -0.624, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Self-efficacy acts as a psychological buffer against the negative effects of workload on professional performance. Enhancing nurses' self-efficacy through targeted interventions may mitigate workload-related declines in core competencies and improve pediatric nursing care.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Keywords: Core competencies; Hospital; Mediating role; Nursing staff; Pediatrics; Professional competence; Self efficacy; Workload.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the Faculty of Nursing at Modern University for Technology and Information (MTI), with ID FAN/146/2024, waived ethical approval. All participating nurses were provided comprehensive information about the study’s purpose, objectives, and potential benefits. The researchers emphasized the study’s voluntary nature, and patients could withdraw their participation without facing any consequences. All procedures were conducted in compliance with pertinent rules and regulations. We confirm that our study was conducted by the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Nurses were required to provide written informed consent before participating in the study. Participation was entirely voluntary, and nurses had the right to withdraw at any stage without any consequences. The collected data was coded to maintain confidentiality, ensuring no identifiable information was disclosed. Consent for publication: Not applicable. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Hypothesis of the study
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
SEM for the effect of workload on the core competencies via the mediating factor self-efficacy
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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