Background Self-efficacy, defined as the belief in one’s ability to perform tasks, can influence the job performance of nurses, especially in highly pressured healthcare settings. Therefore, it is a key factor in developing the nursing workforce and enhancing the quality of care provided to patients.

Aim To explore the relationship between self-efficacy and job performance among Jordanian nurses, along with related demographic and organisational predictors of self-efficacy.

Method A descriptive cross-sectional, correlational design was employed. A convenience sample of 240 registered nurses from two governmental hospitals in Jordan completed a questionnaire comprising demographic questions and self-report tools to measure their self-efficacy and job performance. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and regression analyses were used to analyse and interpret the data.

Results There was a weak but statistically significant positive relationship between self-efficacy and overall job performance. Monthly income, education level, age, years of experience and received support to increase self-efficacy were identified as significant predictors of self-efficacy and job performance. No significant differences were found based on gender, hospital, department, work schedule, marital status or job title.

Conclusion Interventions aimed at enhancing self-efficacy may be beneficial for nurses and subsequently could improve job performance. Nurse leaders are encouraged to develop policies and training programmes to support nurses’ professional development and to create a supportive environment that will enhance self-efficacy in the nursing workforce.