Elevating patient safety education in undergraduate nursing: An integrative review beyond trends

This study aimed to identify the key patient safety competencies required by nursing students, to assess the effectiveness of current training methods and to examine the barriers to integrating safety principles into undergraduate curricula.

The following databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2024: Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Springer Link. Studies written in English that focus on patient safety education in undergraduate nursing were included. The Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) model and the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) were used to conduct a methodological quality assessment of the articles.

Out of a total of 6,889 articles, 20 studies were included for analysis. The results were categorized into four key themes: 1) the imperative shift from implicit to explicit competency frameworks; 2) the efficacy of active, immersive learning in fostering integrated competencies; 3) systemic and infrastructural barriers as the primary impediment to integration; 4) geographic and resource disparities necessitate context-adaptive pedagogical strategies.

Immersive, longitudinal approaches (especially high-fidelity simulation and interprofessional clinical engagements) are particularly effective in bridging the gap between theory and practice. They can incorporate clear and comprehensive patient safety education into the nursing curriculum. Moving forward, we need a paradigm shift in nursing education, where patient safety becomes a fundamental aspect of curriculum design and delivery, rather than just an ancillary topic.