Nursing Students’ Perceived Self-Efficacy and the Generation of Medication Errors with the Use of an Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) in Clinical Simulation

Abstract

Abstract Medication errors continue to be a significant issue, posing substantial threats to the safety and well-being of patients. Through Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy, nursing students’ self-efficacy (confidence) related to medication administration was examined to investigate its influence on the generation of medication errors with the use of an Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) in clinical simulation. This study examined the generation of medication errors and the differences that may exist based on nursing students’ perceived confidence. The findings of this study demonstrated that nursing students continue to generate medication errors within clinical simulation. No differences in the generation of medication errors were found between nursing students with perceived high levels of confidence and those with perceived low levels of confidence (one exception noted). Further examination of the variables and contextual factors related to safe medication administration practices is required to inform nursing education and practice.