Effectiveness of Pro-Safe Work Training (PSWT) and perception of workplace safety among undergraduate nursing students: a mental health perspective

INTRODUCTION: Workplace violence in healthcare is a significant concern, particularly for nurses and nursing students. Nursing students are particularly vulnerable due to limited exposure to clinical settings and poor preparedness. Preventive safety measures are essential to improve both competence and protection from violence. Unlike conventional training programmes that focus on knowledge acquisition, Pro-Safe Work Training (PSWT) integrates behavioural rehearsal, de-escalation strategies, and self-protection skills. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of PSWT in improving awareness of workplace violence prevention and perception of workplace safety among undergraduate nursing students. METHODS: This study used a one-group pretest-posttest design to evaluate intervention effectiveness. Fifty students were selected using purposive sampling. Data collection instruments included a demographic proforma, an awareness questionnaire, and a safety perception scale. The PSWT covered safety measures such as de-escalation techniques, self-defence, and communication skills. RESULTS: The PSWT significantly improved awareness of workplace violence (p = 0.001) while the change in perception of workplace safety was not statistically significant (p = 0.24). Post-training, awareness levels increased, with 90% of participants scoring above 21, and the proportion of participants with high perception increased from 14% to 34%, indicating a meaningful positive trend. CONCLUSION: PSWT is effective in enhancing awareness; however, improving perception may require sustained and multi-component interventions. The findings are limited by the absence of a control group, small sample size, and single-institution setting.