Enhancing Nursing Competence Through Simulation-Based Training, Evidence-Based Practice Adoption, And Patient Safety Culture: A Study Of Hospitals In Sargodha, Punjab

Abstract

This study examines the combined role of simulation-based training, evidence-based practice (EBP) adoption, and patient safety culture in enhancing nursing performance within public and private hospitals in Sargodha, Punjab. As healthcare systems evolve, nursing professionals are increasingly required to demonstrate strong clinical competence, research-informed decision-making, and adherence to safety standards. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research collected quantitative data from 120 nurses through structured questionnaires and qualitative insights from interviews with 10 hospital administrators and senior nurses. The findings reveal that simulation-based training significantly improves clinical skills, procedural confidence, and emergency response preparedness. EBP adoption among nurses was found to be moderate, reflecting positive attitudes toward research-based care but highlighting persistent challenges such as limited access to scientific literature, insufficient research skills, and heavy workload barriers. Patient safety culture showed strengths in teamwork but weaknesses in communication openness and non-punitive error reporting, indicating the presence of hierarchical and fear-based organizational practices. Correlation and regression analyses demonstrated strong, significant relationships among simulation training, EBP adoption, and patient safety culture, confirming that these three components collectively contribute to higher nursing performance. The qualitative findings further supported these patterns, revealing how institutional constraints influence nurses’ ability to translate training and knowledge into practice. Overall, the study concludes that improving nursing performance in Sargodha requires integrated strategies that strengthen simulation-based education, build EBP capacity, and cultivate a supportive, blame-free safety culture across hospital systems.