Mehdi Mahmoudzadeh, Sana Khalilzadeh Zia, Mohammad Ali Mohammadi, Behrouz Dadkhah,
Volume 31, Issue 3 (9-2025)
Abstract
Background & Aim: The nursing process provides a structured and evidence-based framework for delivering comprehensive, individualized, and high-quality care. As a fundamental component of healthcare systems, patient safety culture plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of patients. Given the importance of these two constructs, this study aimed to examine the relationship between nursing process competency and nurses' perception of patient safety culture.
Methods & Materials: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted in 2023 on 266 clinical nurses working in educational-treatment centers in Ardabil, Iran, using a stratified random sampling method. Data were collected using the Nursing Process Competency Questionnaire (NPCQ) and the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPSC). Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 through descriptive statistics and inferential tests.
Results: Among the participants, 177 nurses (66.5%) were female and 164 (61.7%) were married. Most nurses reported a good level of nursing process competency (175, 65.8%) and a moderate level of perceived patient safety culture (264, 99.3%). Marital status and employment status were significantly associated with both nursing process competency and patient safety culture (P<0.05). Additionally, a significant positive correlation was observed between nursing process competency and patient safety culture (r=0.315, P<0.001).
Conclusion: The results highlight the essential role of nursing process competency in fostering positive perceptions of patient safety culture. They also emphasize the importance of considering personal and employment-related factors when designing interventions. Policymakers are encouraged to develop integrated strategies that simultaneously enhance nursing process competency and strengthen patient safety culture to promote safer and higher-quality patient care.
