Experience and number of patients as associated factors toward clinical confidence among nursing students in caring for tuberculosis patients in Indonesia

Background Nurses and nursing students are at greater risk of tuberculosis (TB) exposure due to their higher intensity contact with patients. In Indonesia, a country with high TB incidence, it is crucial to assess undergraduate nursing students' clinical confidence during their clinical practicums. Purpose This study aimed to explore factors associated with nursing students' clinical confidence in caring for TB patients. Methods This cross-sectional study utilized an internet survey based on the United States National TB Curriculum Consortium (NTCC) in September and November 2020. The survey questions focused on TB knowledge, beliefs about the value of TB instruction, and clinical confidence in caring for TB patients. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical regression were used for data analysis. The Indonesian version of the original NTCC survey was used. Results The study found that nursing students' knowledge about TB increased with their year of study (r = 0.290, p Conclusions/implications This study highlights the need for improved curriculum content and teaching methods regarding TB for nursing students. It also suggests that experience caring for TB patients and the number of TB patients cared for can improve clinical confidence in nursing students. Given the high incidence of TB in Indonesia, this study's findings could have important implications for the country's healthcare system.