BACKGROUND: Despite the shift to a just culture (JC) in health care systems more than a decade ago, many nursing programs continue to lack a JC environment, which may result in students entering the workforce without adequate preparation. This study evaluated prelicensure nursing students' perceptions of JC at baseline and 4 months after policy implementation.

METHOD: The JC Assessment Tool for Nursing Education (JCAT-NE) was used to measure nursing students' perceptions of JC.

RESULTS: Nursing students had high JC at baseline. Senior nursing students had significantly lower scores for the JCAT-NE dimensions of feedback and communication (p < .001), openness of communication (p < .001), and trust (p < .015) compared with freshman, sophomore, and junior nursing students. A negative mean change was observed for senior nursing students in all JCAT-NE dimensions at 4 months.

CONCLUSION: Nursing students with the lowest perception of JC were the closest to entering practice, which should raise concern among faculty and future employers.