Background and purpose: Nurses' self-confidence in handling acute patient deterioration events may influence decision-making capabilities and implementation of lifesaving interventions during such events. The study purpose is to provide further psychometric testing of the Clinical Decision-Making Self-Confidence Scale (CDMSCS).
Methods: The psychometric properties and factor structure of the CDMSCS was examined.
Results: A two-factor solution was discovered for the CDMSCS. Construct validity was further supported by statistically significant differences between registered nurses and nursing students' self-confidence level in handling deterioration events. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were acceptable for the subscales and instrument.
Conclusion: The CDMSCS is a valid and reliable instrument. Future studies should focus on establishing test-retest reliability and to determine factor loadings of subscale items to retain or delete cross-loading items.