Lab to bedside transfer: evaluating medication safety competency in nursing students.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate student transfer of medication administration safety competencies to initial clinical practice after passing standardized, supervised laboratory validation check-offs. METHODS: A repeated measures observational design was used to collect performance scores with a validated tool. Researchers collected scores during lab validation, initial clinical medication administration, and first medication administration during the following semester. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in performance scores were observed across settings. Consistent performance was observed, with minor challenges in patient identification and timing of medication administration. CONCLUSIONS: This study addressed a gap in the literature on the transfer of learning between educational and clinical environments and demonstrated that appropriate scaffolding and replication of key practice elements may support transfer of clinical competencies. These results inform nursing education strategies to enhance safe medication administration.