PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of professional autonomy, organizational commitment, and perceived patient safety culture on patient safety management activities of nurses in medium and small-sized hospitals.METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed. Self-reported questionnaires were completed by 121 nurses with at least 3 months of working experience in medium and small-sized hospitals located in B city. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a t-test, a one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and a multiple regression analysis.RESULTS: Professional autonomy (r=.22, p=.016), organizational commitment (r=.34, p < .001), and perceived patient safety culture (r=.55, p < .001) had a statistically significant positive correlation with patient safety management activities. The factors that might affect patient safety management activities were professional autonomy (β=.23, p=.003) and perceived patient safety culture (β=.55, p < .001). The explanatory power of these factors for patient safety management activities was 33.5% (F= 21.19, p < .001).CONCLUSIONS: The development of repetitive and continuous education programs is needed to improve a nurse's professional autonomy and perceived patient safety culture.