Assessment of Knowledge and Practices of Standard Precautions among Student Nurses

Abstract

Aims: To determine the level of knowledge and practices regarding standard precautions among student nurses in a private college institution in Iloilo City. Study Design: A descriptive correlational design. Place and Duration of Study: A private nursing college located in Molo, Iloilo City, between January 19 to 24, 2026. Methodology: The study consisted of 305 second-year, third year, and fourth-year nursing students enrolled in a private college in Iloilo City, selected through stratified random sampling. This sampling method ensured fair representation of each year’s level, providing a comprehensive view of students’ knowledge and practices throughout their clinical progression. Results: Out of 305 student nurses revealed a moderate level of knowledge (M=5.33/7), in terms of clinical practice, students demonstrated high compliance with glove usage (M=4.91) but scored poorly on safe needle disposal (M=2.58). Data was not normally distributed (p<0.05), Spearman’s rho was used, uncovering a weak but significant positive correlation (rs =0.167, p=0.003) between what the students know and how they perform in practice. Conclusion: These results show that knowledge is not just useful for solving problems, but also for strengthening understanding, skills, and awareness. The study emphasizes the need to improve student nurses’ knowledge and skills, as these play an important role in both their personal and professional growth.