Nurses' Internet self-efficacy and attitudes toward web-based continuing learning.

OBJECTIVE

There are increasing opportunities for nurses to engage in continuing learning via the Internet; hence, it is important to explore nurses' attitudes toward web-based continuing learning.

METHOD

This paper explores 267 Taiwanese clinical nurses' attitudes toward web-based continuing learning. In addition, the role of the nurses' Internet self-efficacy in their attitudes is investigated. This study utilizes two questionnaires to respectively survey the nurses' Internet self-efficacy and their attitudes toward web-based continuing learning. In particular, the Internet Self-efficacy Survey includes two scales: 'Basic self-efficacy' (the perceived confidence of using basic Internet functions, such as the confidence in using a web browser or searching for online information) and 'Advanced self-efficacy' (the perceived confidence of using advanced Internet functions, such as the confidence in online discussion or making online payments).

RESULTS AND FINDINGS

Exploratory factor analyses indicated adequate reliability and validity of the two questionnaires. The regression analyses revealed that both nurses' basic and advanced Internet self-efficacy can positively explain the perceived usefulness, ease of use and friendly feeling when using web-based continuing learning environments, whereas nurses' advanced Internet self-efficacy was the only predictor to explain how they intend to use web-based continuing learning environments more.