Patient Risk Identification Ability Among Newly Graduated Nurses: A Mixed-Methods Study

Risk identification is a primary step in implementing medical risk management. Given the limited research on the patient risk identification ability of newly graduated nurses, this study aims to explore their current capacity for identifying patient risks and the associated influencing factors.

A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected via an online cross-sectional survey from 212 newly graduated nurses using the self-assessment questionnaire on patient risk identification ability. Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 11 participants.

Participants scored 73.32 ± 9.20 in patient risk identification. Dimension scores were highest for risk perception (3.96 ± 0.51), followed by risk analysis ability (3.47 ± 0.50) and risk knowledge mastery (3.22 ± 0.54). The regression model revealed that length of employment (β = 7.475, 95% CI [6.551, 8.398]), employment type (permanent: β = 7.487, 95% CI [3.851, 11.123]), having a family member in healthcare (β = 2.409, 95% CI [0.844, 3.973]), received patient-safety training or related coursework (β = 2.700, 95% CI [0.712, 4.688]), marital status (married: β = 3.622, 95% CI [0.858, 6.386]), attitude toward nursing (β = 0.842, 95% CI [0.171, 1.512]), education level (β = 1.729, 95% CI [0.340, 3.118]), and current unit (other units: β = -3.253, 95% CI [-5.883, -0.623]) were significant predictors of risk identification capacity (all p < 0.05). Qualitative analysis identified four themes: heightened risk awareness, limited ability to judge and analyze complex conditions, barriers, and facilitators. Integrated analysis showed high concordance between datasets, except regarding the influence of clinical workload.

The risk identification ability of newly graduated nurses requires considerable improvement, particularly in mastering risk-related knowledge and analyzing risks in complex clinical situations. This ability is influenced by personal knowledge and experience, professional values, clinical workload, patient safety education, and organizational support.