Factors Influencing Nurses' Medication Safety Competence: A Structural Equation Model

Medication safety competence is critical, yet how workplace and psychological factors shape medication safety competence is unclear.

To examine links among work environment, work-related stress, professional identity, and medication safety competence.

A cross-sectional survey of 641 nurses in China was conducted and structural equation modeling was used to test relationships.

Professional identity predicted medication safety competence (β = .276, P < .001) and partially mediated effects of work environment (indirect = 0.098; 95% CI, 0.063-0.146) and stress (indirect = 0.036; 95% CI, 0.021-0.056).

Supportive environments and stronger professional identity are associated with higher medication safety competence, whereas stress is detrimental. Organizational strategies should enhance resources, reduce stressors, and cultivate professional identity to improve medication safety and ultimately improve patient safety outcomes.