Nursing Students: Burnout, Confidence, and Hand Skills

Nursing students have a tough job ahead. They need strong hands and quick fingers to handle patients, give medicine, and use medical tools. But what about their minds? Stress and confidence can change how well they do these tasks. A recent study looked at how burnout and self-efficacy affect hand strength and dexterity in nursing students. The study involved 57 nursing students, with an average age of about 22. Researchers measured their hand strength and dexterity using tools like the Purdue Pegboard Test and a dynamometer. They also checked the students' burnout levels and self-efficacy using surveys. The results were interesting. Overall burnout and its sub-scores for emotional exhaustion and cynicism did not show significant links to hand function. However, professional efficacy—a belief in one's ability to perform well—was positively correlated with better scores on the Purdue Pegboard Assembly and Both Hands tests. This means that students who felt more confident in their professional skills tended to have better hand dexterity.General self-efficacy, which is a broader sense of confidence in one's abilities, also showed a positive correlation with the Purdue Pegboard Assembly test. This suggests that feeling capable and confident can help nursing students perform better in tasks that require fine motor skills. The study highlights the importance of supporting nursing students not just physically, but also mentally. Enhancing their self-efficacy could help them develop the skills they need for their future careers. It's a reminder that nursing is not just about physical strength; it's also about mental resilience and confidence.