Determinants of Standard Precautions Performance Among Nursing Students in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

TL;DR

This study found that nursing students in South Korea who have higher moral courage and better academic performance are more likely to follow infection control practices properly.

Contribution

The study identifies moral courage and academic performance as key predictors of standard precautions adherence among nursing students.

Findings

Moral courage was the strongest predictor of standard precautions performance (β = 0.38, p < 0.001).

Academic performance also significantly predicted adherence (β = 0.18, p = 0.007).

Standard precautions performance was positively correlated with professionalism and knowledge.

Abstract

What are the main findings?

Nursing students’ adherence to standard precautions was significantly influenced by moral courage and academic performance.

Positive correlations were found between performance of standard precautions and nursing professionalism, knowledge, and moral courage.

What are the implications of the main findings?

Educational programs that strengthen ethical competence and moral courage may enhance infection control practices in nursing students.

Supporting academic achievement alongside ethical and professional development can better prepare students for safe clinical practice.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the necessity of standard precautions to prevent healthcare-associated infections. Nursing students, due to limited experience and close patient contact, are at high risk of exposure. This study examined the effects of nursing professionalism, knowledge of standard precautions, and moral courage on nursing students’ performance of standard precautions in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 204 nursing students from 10 universities in Gwangju, South Korea. Validated instruments measured professionalism, knowledge, moral courage, and performance. Data were analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, correlations, and regression. Results: Standard precautions performance averaged 4.62/5. It was positively correlated with professionalism (r = 0.306), knowledge (r = 0.190), and moral courage (r = 0.399). Regression identified moral courage (β = 0.38, p < 0.001) and academic performance (β = 0.18, p = 0.007) as significant predictors, explaining 18.1% of variance. Conclusions: Moral courage and academic performance significantly influence nursing students’ adherence to standard precautions. Strengthening ethical competence and professional identity in education may enhance safe clinical practice.