{"title":"Clinical errors by nursing students: Frequency, nature, and causes","authors":"Mahni Rahkar Farshi RN, PhD, Maryam Alizadeh-khanghahi MSc, Mahnaz Jabraeili RN, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.teln.2026.07.018","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Nursing students make errors in clinical settings. Identifying students’ procedural and medication errors and their underlying causes is a key step in prevention.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>This study aimed to examine nursing student errors in clinical settings from the students’ perspective.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This cross-sectional study was conducted at a university in Iran. Participants were 310 undergraduate nursing students in semesters 5–8, who were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire that assessed the frequency, stages, and potential causes of errors from the students’ perspective. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0 software, and findings were reported using descriptive and inferential statistics.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Students reported a moderate error rate (2.94 ± 0.26 on a 5-point scale) in common nursing procedures. They cited overcrowded clinical groups, stress, and limited opportunities for procedural practice as causes of these errors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Reducing modifiable factors such as crowded groups, stress, limited practice, distractions, and inadequate training could reduce errors and improve learning quality.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":46287,"journal":{"name":"Teaching and Learning in Nursing","volume":"21 4","pages":"Pages 385-391"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5000,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Teaching and Learning in Nursing","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1557308726002210","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/8/8 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"NURSING","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Nursing students make errors in clinical settings. Identifying students’ procedural and medication errors and their underlying causes is a key step in prevention.
Aim
This study aimed to examine nursing student errors in clinical settings from the students’ perspective.
Methods
This cross-sectional study was conducted at a university in Iran. Participants were 310 undergraduate nursing students in semesters 5–8, who were selected using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a questionnaire that assessed the frequency, stages, and potential causes of errors from the students’ perspective. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0 software, and findings were reported using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results
Students reported a moderate error rate (2.94 ± 0.26 on a 5-point scale) in common nursing procedures. They cited overcrowded clinical groups, stress, and limited opportunities for procedural practice as causes of these errors.
Conclusion
Reducing modifiable factors such as crowded groups, stress, limited practice, distractions, and inadequate training could reduce errors and improve learning quality.
期刊介绍:
Teaching and Learning in Nursing is the Official Journal of the National Organization of Associate Degree Nursing. The journal is dedicated to the advancement of Associate Degree Nursing education and practice, and promotes collaboration in charting the future of health care education and delivery. Topics include: - Managing Different Learning Styles - New Faculty Mentoring - Legal Issues - Research - Legislative Issues - Instructional Design Strategies - Leadership, Management Roles - Unique Funding for Programs and Faculty