The effect of nurses’ knowledge and self-confidence on delirium nursing performance of nurses in an integrated nursing and caring services ward: A cross-sectional descriptive study

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the impact of delirium knowledge and delirium nursing confidence on delirium nursing practice among nurses working in an integrated nursing and caring services ward. Methods: This descriptive study included 102 registered nurses with a minimum of 6 months of professional experience from the integrated nursing and caring services ward of a university hospital in Uijeongbu City. Data were collected from May 10, 2023 to July 5, 2023 and were subjected to independent samples t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS/WIN 27.0 program. Results: Delirium nursing knowledge was positively correlated with delirium nursing confidence (r=.25, p=.01). Delirium nursing confidence was positively correlated with delirium nursing performance (r=.41, p<.001). Factors influencing delirium nursing performance were delirium nursing confidence (β=.32, p=.001), marital status (β=.21, p=.016), and delirium education experience (β=-.19, p=.032). The model used in this study explained 27% of the variance in delirium nursing performance (adjusted R2=0.27, F=8.46, p<.001). Conclusion: This study identified factors that influence delirium nursing performance of nurses in an integrated nursing and caring services ward in a university hospital. Based on the findings, delirium nursing education programs should include strategies that can improve delirium nursing confidence. Further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of developing a delirium nursing practice improvement program and guideline that reflects the characteristics of integrated nursing and caring services wards.