Nursing Students' Informal Learning of Patient Safety Management Activities.

Nam-Yi Kim

doi:10.3390/healthcare9121635

Abstract

Nursing students require experience in patient safety management to prevent accidents that compromise patient safety. This study examined the mediating effects of informal learning on nursing students’ patient safety management activities. Responses to questionnaires issued to 136 nursing students in South Korea were analyzed. The independent, mediating, and dependent variables used were nursing competencies, informal learning, and patient safety management activities, respectively. Concept validity and model fitness were confirmed using average variance extracted and composite reliability. Model fitness was confirmed using the goodness-of-fit index, normed fit index, Tucker–Lewis index, comparative fit index, and standardized root mean squared residual. The mediating effect was analyzed using the maximum likelihood method, and statistical significance was assessed through bootstrapping. Informal learning mediated the relationship between nursing competence and patient safety management activities. To improve the implementation of patient safety management activities and increase patient safety competence, learning and teaching of specific patient safety-related knowledge, skills, and attitudes need to be improved. For this, informal learning opportunities (e.g., simulation education and clinical practice) must be increased in the nursing curriculum, and the patient safety education capacity should be increased to maintain continuity and connectivity in clinical practice.

Highlights

The specialization and division of labor in medical services, increase in information overload, development of large and complex medical institutions with various departments, and time constraints have increased the possibility of patient safety accidents [1]
This study aimed to examine how informal learning, which occurs naturally through clinical practice, affects the relationship between nursing students’ competence and patient safety management activities
This study evaluated the mediating effect of informal learning on the relationship between nursing competence and the patient safety management activities of nursing students

Summary

Introduction

The specialization and division of labor in medical services, increase in information overload, development of large and complex medical institutions with various departments, and time constraints have increased the possibility of patient safety accidents [1]. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a large number of patients requiring nursing care, and the shortage of health and medical personnel is adding to the difficulties in performing activities and maintaining environments in the interest of patient safety [2]. Nurses constitute the largest number of professionals in the healthcare industry and play an important role in ensuring patient safety, which is at the forefront of medical care [4]. If the nursing competence of novice and advanced beginner nurses is enhanced, patient safety management activities can be implemented with a greater efficiency [7]. Nursing college students, who are prospective nurses, influence patient safety directly when they engage in patient care during their clinical practice and when they manage patient care practices after graduation [8]. Nursing students are caregivers for their patients during their clinical practice and participate in various procedures under the supervision of qualified nurses [9], they still lack proficiency in clinical practice and are inexperienced in dealing with patient safety incidents

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion