Unearthing the Impact of Impostor Syndrome on Decision Self-Efficacy Among Nurse Managers

Introduction The psychological phenomenon known as “impostor syndrome” is characterized by ongoing self-doubt and a dread of being revealed as a fraud can subtly erode nurse managers’ confidence and hinder their capacity to make prompt and wise judgments. Strong decision-making self-efficacy is essential for nurse managers, who are frontline leaders in charge of crucial clinical and operational results. But the unseen weight of impostor syndrome could undermine this crucial leadership skill. Objective This study aims to unearth the impact of impostor syndrome on decision self-efficacy among nurse managers. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive design following STROBE guidelines was used to unearth the impact of impostor syndrome on decision self-efficacy among nurse managers. 95 nurse managers from Minia University Hospitals were included. Data was collected using the Clance Impostor Phenomenon Scale (CIPS) and a researcher-developed Decision Self-Efficacy Scale (DSES). Results The findings revealed that 57.9% of nurse managers had a high level of impostor syndrome, while 71.6% exhibited low decision self-efficacy. A significant negative correlation was found between impostor characteristics and decision self-efficacy ( r = −0.81, p = .050*). Years of experience were the only demographic factors significantly related to decision self-efficacy ( r = −0.398, p = .001). Conclusion Impostor syndrome was negatively associated with decision-making confidence among nurse managers. Interventions to address impostor feelings and enhance self-efficacy may support effective leadership and organizational performance in healthcare settings.