Professional Behaviors and Patient Safety Competency between Fourth Year Nursing Students and Internship Students: Comparative study

Background: Professional behaviors and patient safety competency are crucial for quality of care in healthcare organizations. Aim: the study aimed to compare the professional behaviors and patient safety competency between fourth year nursing students and internship students at Faculty of Nursing in Suez Canal University. Design: A comparative correlational descriptive design was used. Setting: The study was conducted at Faculty of Nursing in Suez Canal University and 14 internship training hospitals. Sample: 342 nursing students from fourth academic year and internship year. Tools: Two self-instruction tools were used for data collection, which are Nursing Students Professional Behaviors Scale (NSPBS) and Patient Safety Competency Self Evaluation Tool for Nursing Students (PSCSE). Results: Both study groups reported a high level of professional behaviors and a moderate level of patient safety competency. There was no statistical significant difference of professional behaviors (P value= 0.588) or patient safety competency (P value= 0.264) between two study groups. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was no statistical significant difference of professional behaviors or patient safety competency between two study groups. However, there was a moderate positive statistical correlation between professional behaviors and patient safety knowledge, skills, attitude and competency in both study groups. Recommendations: The study recommended: Improving nursing curricula to relate theoretical content with practical training for improving patient safety competency. Encouraging internship nursing students to attend continuing education in the form of workshops and conferences related to professional behaviors and patient safety competency.