OBJECTIVE: This integrative literature review seeks to examine research-based knowledge about the role of education in developing a culture of safety through the perspectives of undergraduate nursing students. METHODS: An integrative literature review of nursing and health databases was conducted and literature from 2009 to 2018 were reviewed. Studies focusing on patient safety education in undergraduate nursing students were analyzed to identify the current state of safety education in academia. The results and findings from the articles reviewed were included in the final synthesis of the literature. RESULTS: A total of 336 articles were identified from the onset and 14 were selected for inclusion in the review. There were 3 qualitative studies, 8 quantitative studies, and 3 mixed-methods research studies included. Four themes emerged: students perceive patient safety education is important, safety education in the curriculum is important, students are afraid to speak up, and students perceive a lack of knowledge and support for speaking up. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this integrative literature review demonstrate that nursing education plays an integral role in creating a culture of safety among nursing students. Nursing students lack a strong understanding of their role in patient safety. This translates into a need for dedicated patient safety curriculum to establish a culture of safety in nursing education.
OBJECTIVE: This integrative literature review seeks to examine research-based knowledge about the role of education in developing a culture of safety through the perspectives of undergraduate nursing students. METHODS: An integrative literature review of nursing and health databases was conducted and literature from 2009 to 2018 were reviewed. Studies focusing on patient safety education in undergraduate nursing students were analyzed to identify the current state of safety education in academia. The results and findings from the articles reviewed were included in the final synthesis of the literature. RESULTS: A total of 336 articles were identified from the onset and 14 were selected for inclusion in the review. There were 3 qualitative studies, 8 quantitative studies, and 3 mixed-methods research studies included. Four themes emerged: students perceive patient safety education is important, safety education in the curriculum is important, students are afraid to speak up, and students perceive a lack of knowledge and support for speaking up. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this integrative literature review demonstrate that nursing education plays an integral role in creating a culture of safety among nursing students. Nursing students lack a strong understanding of their role in patient safety. This translates into a need for dedicated patient safety curriculum to establish a culture of safety in nursing education.