Factors associated with medication administration by nursing students: A scoping review

Abstract

Aim: To map factors that may interfere with parenteral medication administration by undergraduate nursing students in hospital settings. Background: Medication errors are a major patient safety concern, especially during administration often caused by communication failures, distractions and lack of training. Though data often focus on professionals, nursing students also face high error rates and near misses during clinical training. Design: A scoping review. Methods: This study was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Data sources—MEDLINE, LILACS, BDENF, Web of Science, Scopus and the Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations—were consulted in November 2024. Additionally, citation review of selected studies was performed. Primary studies addressing parenteral medication administration by undergraduate nursing students and reporting influencing factors in the hospital environment were included. Results are presented descriptively, supported by tables and figures. Results: The final sample comprised 20 studies published between 2002 and 2024, with a higher frequency in Nurse Education Today. Geographically, Australia and the United States predominated, each contributing four investigations. Sample sizes ranged from 10 to 329 students, with a mean of 109 participants. Methodologically, 11 studies employed a quantitative approach and nine used a qualitative design. Conclusions: Identified factors include student self-confidence, deficiencies in clinical supervision and institutional environmental limitations. This review underscores the imperative for implementing educational strategies that foster clinical competence, strengthen patient safety culture and cultivate safer, more collaborative learning environments during nursing education.