A structural equation modeling of the factors affecting student nursesʹ medication errors

Summary medication error literature, much attention has been given to incidence, types, causes and prevention of medication errors. Despite these efforts, medication errors continue to occur among registered and student nurses. Considering the numerous studies on medication errors committed by registered nurses, little is known on the nature of student nursesʹ medication error. This study employed factor analysis and structural equation modeling to explore the factors affecting medication errors by student nurses. With the participation of 329 junior and senior student nurses recruited from a comprehensive university in the Philippines, five factor dimensions of the causes of student nursesʹ medication error were identified, namely: In-violation, In-writing, In-excess, In-experience and In-tension. Results of path analysis showed an interaction among these variables. Additionally, poor adherence to the “five rights” was identified as an important mediator between In-violation, In-writing, In-excess, In-experience and In-tension and student nursesʹ medication error. By developing a model to explain how student nursesʹ medication errors occur, this study sheds light on the nature of student nursesʹ medication error and provides a basis for error prevention strategies.