The purpose of this study was to understand student nurses' perceptions and experiences of witnessing and responding to risks to patient safety during their integrated learning experiences. This qualitative study's two-phased approach included individual semi-structured interviews, followed by focus group discussions with students. Participants included 53 pre-registration nursing students recruited from the first, second, and third years of study at two Australian universities. All had attended at least one clinical placement experience. Interpretive Description was used as a framework to guide the study. The findings highlight that students engage in specific and deliberate strategies when attempting to speak up. Students weigh up the risk to the patient and themselves. They use questioning techniques and their knowledge, experiences, and resources when speaking up. Students highlighted the need for caution and persistence while aiming to reduce the risk of reprisal. Exposing the challenges and successes students experience will provide educators, managers, and clinicians with the understanding necessary to better support both students and clinicians to achieve safe outcomes for patients as well a students.
Keywords: clinical placement; moral dilemma; patient safety; speaking up; student nurses.
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