Table 2 Exploratory factor analysis of career efficacy scale for Korean nursing students (N=400)

38. I can adapt well to my workplace after being hired

.82

.15

.24

39. I have confidence in performing nursing work

.78

.16

.31

40. I can adapt well even if actual nursing work is different than what I had thought

.72

.12

.20

36. I am satisfied with my career choice

.68

.34

-.09

37. I have a positive conviction about my career decision-making

.67

.41

.04

30. I can adapt well to clinical practice

.65

.27

.24

31. I can cope with problems that occur in nursing practice

.58

.15

.44

14. I can successfully complete nursing theory curriculum

.22

.74

.13

15. I can successfully complete nursing practical training

.37

.69

.11

16. Nursing major courses have been helpful in my career adaptation (school life, employment, etc.)

.29

.68

.05

13. I have a good understanding of the characteristics of nursing (e.g., theoretical and practical training, extracurricular activities)

.22

.68

.20

19. I can collect information through a variety of sources (e.g., acquaintances, the internet)

-.01

.60

.35

4. I actively participate in extracurricular activities

.22

.60

.11

20. I am capable of collecting specific information about nursing career that suits my aptitude

.02

.53

.49

12. I have the core competencies that a nurse should have (e.g., knowledge integration application, communication and collaboration, critical thinking skills, leadership, etc.).

.37

.53

.32

9. I am good at writing a personal essay

.12

-.01

.75

10. I am good at job interviews

.21

.05

.71

34. I can set my own career roadmap

.09

.39

.63

11. I can prepare well for the career that I choose

.40

.32

.60

32. I can set my own career goals

.25

.39

.56

33. I can make my own career plans

.19

.42

.56

Eigen value

4.30

4.24

3.45

Explained variance (%)

20.5

20.2

16.4

Total explained variance (%)

20.5

40.7

57.1