Abstract
BACKGROUND: Novice nurses are particularly vulnerable to adverse events for various reasons, making it essential to enhance their patient safety competencies to ensure overall patient safety. Patient safety training is shifting from a knowledge-based to a competency-based model, thereby bridging the gap between theory and practice. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of patient safety training based on the ADDIE model in bolstering the patient safety competency of novice nurses, a critical factor in ensuring patient safety. DESIGN: A quasi-experimental study conforming to the TREND guidelines was applied. METHODS: The study was conducted from August to December 2023 in a tertiary hospital in China. The ADDIE model was used as a framework to design and implement patient safety course training for 45 nurses. The effectiveness of the training was evaluated through pre- and post-training surveys of novice nurses’ patient safety competency, collection of fourth-quarter adverse events for novice nurses in 2022 and 2023, and semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: The training significantly improved novice nurses’ scores on the four dimensions of patient safety competency, providing reassurance about the effectiveness of the training: adverse event reporting and response(12.73 ± 1.60/14.18 ± 1.35; t=-6.153, P <0.05), adverse event communication(12.22 ± 1.70/13.73 ± 1.70; t=-5.231, P <0.05), safe nursing practice(38.53 ± 2.45/43.31 ± 3.23; t=-7.018, P <0.05), and attitude toward adverse event reporting(6.98 ± 2.96/9.02 ± 5.02; t=-3.139, P <0.05). The rate of adverse events decreased in the fourth quarter of 2023(5.6%) compared to 2022(17.1%), this difference was not statistically significant(χ²=1.365, P >0.05). The receptiveness of novice nurses to the ADDIE model-based training program is a promising finding that underscores the potential of this approach in patient safety training. IMPLICATIONS: The study serves as a reference for nursing administrators, educators, and researchers to aid in the design of patient safety education programs. Healthcare organizations should implement systematic, comprehensive, and efficient training to enhance nurses’ ability to ensure patient safety. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The study included nurses in the intervention. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12912-025-04104-7.