Evaluating a medication error prevention training for nursing students using Kirkpatrick’s model

Medication administration is a critical aspect of nursing, and insufficient competence among students can cause errors and compromise patient safety. This study aimed to design, implement, and evaluate an educational program for preventing medication errors in nursing students. In this quasi-experimental study with a two-group pretest-posttest design, 69 nursing students were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to intervention (n = 35) or control (n = 34) groups. The program, based on Kern’s six-step model, was implemented in the intervention group and its effectiveness evaluated using Kirkpatrick’s four-level model: reaction (satisfaction), learning (knowledge and attitude), behavior (performance), and results (error incidence). Data on knowledge, attitude, and performance were collected before and after the intervention with validated questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS 24. 80% of participants reported high satisfaction with the program. No significant difference was observed between groups at pre-test (p > 0.05). However, Post-test 1 (immediately after) and Post-test 2 (four months later) showed significant differences in knowledge and attitude (p < 0.001). Performance also improved significantly after four months (p < 0.001). During follow-up, the control group reported one actual and two near-miss errors, while the intervention group reported only two near-miss errors. The educational program had a significant and lasting impact on improving nursing students’ knowledge, attitude, and performance in preventing medication errors. The high level of participant satisfaction indicates a favorable reception of the program. It is recommended that such structured educational programs be incorporated into nursing curricula.