QUALITY AND PATIENT SAFETY COMPETENCIES: PERCEPTION OF NURSING UNDERGRADUATES

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate nursing students’ perceptions regarding the development of quality and patient safety competencies during undergraduate education. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 130 undergraduate nursing students from three Brazilian universities using the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses Student Evaluation Survey (QSEN SES Br). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze student profiles and instrument scores. Results: The majority of students (70.8%) reported that topics related to patient safety and quality of care were predominantly addressed in the classroom setting. Competencies related to quality improvement, safety, and informatics were identified as the least covered. Only 25.4% of students reported participating in simulation-based activities focused on patient safety, and fewer than 15% had engaged in interprofessional activities involving discussions of adverse events. Students in the earlier years of the program had significantly lower scores compared to those approaching graduation (p< 0.05). Variability was also observed among institutions regarding the incorporation of practical strategies such as simulation and case discussions, revealing inconsistencies in pedagogical approaches and curricular alignment. Conclusion: The findings reveal a gap between the recognized importance of quality and safety competencies and the preparedness perceived by students. These results underscore the need for a structured and experiential approach to teaching quality and safety content to better prepare future nurses to deliver safe, high-quality care in increasingly complex healthcare environments.