Impact of and strategies to address negative role models and adherence of nursing students to standard precautions: An integrative review

Abstract

Background

Negative role models can significantly impact nursing students' adherence to standard infection control precautions (SP) but there has been limited research on impacts and relevant strategies.

Purpose

This review examined the impact of negative role models on nursing students' adherence to SP and explored strategies that nursing instructors could use to help students effectively manage the influence of negative role models.

Methods

An integrative review was conducted, guided by Whittemore and Knafl's methodology (2005). PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus were searched for articles from 2008‐2023. Research studies were critically appraised using appropriate tools.

Results

Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The literature indicates that nursing students frequently encounter negative role models during their clinical placements and that such negative encounters detrimentally impact their adherence to SP. Five strategies to potentially mitigate the impact of negative role models were identified.

Conclusion

To address the issue of negative role models, nursing instructors can help students learn specific strategies to manage encounters with negative role models, promote discussion of role modeling with students and clinical staff, and act as role models themselves. Further research is needed to inform specific strategies.