Development and psychometric evaluation of the motivation for nursing student scale (MNSS): A cross sectional validation study

Objectives: To develop a self-report scale to measure academic motivation among nursing students and to test its psychometric properties. Methods: a cross-sectional validation study with a convenience sample of nursing students (n=1,635) was performed. The Motivation Nursing Students Scale was developed; content, face, construct validity, hypothesis testing and reliability were evaluated. Results: The validity structure revealed a four-factor solution and the model reached a satisfactory fit (χ2=622.835 df=160, p<0.01, CFI=0.90, TLT=0.83, RMSEA=0.060 (90% [CI] 0.055-0.064, p=0.001, SRMR=0.067). The hypothesis testing was confirmed with a positive correlation of the academic self-efficacy with Introjected, Intrinsic motivation and a negative correlation with Amotivation. Conclusions: We verified a link between academic self-efficacy and motivation. Both motivation and self-efficacy may increase academic achievement and the possibility for HEIs to degrees a number of students in line with demands.