title: Evaluation of student nurses' perception of preparedness for oral medication administration in clinical practice: a collaborative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Attainment of oral medication administration skills and competency for student nurses is challenging and medication errors are common. The ability of nurses to master a clinical skill is dependent upon educational instruction and practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate nursing students' perception of preparedness for oral medication administration in two practice environments and determine possible relationship between student demographics and their perceived preparedness for oral medication administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross sectional, exploratory study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-eight second year students from a baccalaureate nursing course from two metropolitan Australian tertiary institutions participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Student nurses' perception of preparedness for oral medication administration was measured via a self-administered, adapted, and validated questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall mean Total Preparedness Score was 86.2 (range 71-102). There was no significant difference for perceived total preparedness to administer oral medications between the two facilities. Whilst there was no significant relationship established between student demographics and their perceived preparedness to administer oral medications, four single questions related to clinical practice were shown to be significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low fidelity simulated teaching environments that incorporate time management and post medication situations, may improve student nurses' perceived preparedness for oral medication administration.
authors.affiliation: Sydney Nursing School, University of Sydney, Room A5.04, MO2, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: christina.aggar@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aggar
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing and Health, Avondale College of Higher Education, 185 Fox Valley Rd, Wahroonga, NSW 2076, Australia. Electronic address: sonja.dawson@avondale.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dawson
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013338:Students, Nursing; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Clinical laboratory; Clinical skills; Low fidelity simulation; Nursing education; Oral medication administration