AimsTo identify and characterize the thematic foci, structure and evolution of nursing research on surveillance and patient safety.DesignBibliometric analysis.MethodsBibliometric methods were employed to analyse 1145 articles, using Bibliometrix and VOSviewer software.Data SourceThe Scopus bibliographic database was searched on April 7, 2023.ResultsA keyword co‐occurrence analysis found the most frequently occurring keywords to be: patient safety, nursing, nurses, adverse events, monitoring, critical care, quality improvement, vital signs, safety, alarm fatigue, education, nursing care, surveillance, clinical alarms, failure to rescue, evidence‐based practice, acute care, clinical deterioration, communication, intensive care. Network mapping, clustering and time‐tracking of the keywords revealed the focal themes, structure and evolution of the research field.ConclusionBy assessing critical areas of the nursing research field, this study extends and enriches the current discourse on surveillance and patient safety for nursing researchers and practitioners. Critical challenges still have to be met by nurses, however, including the failure to rescue deteriorating patients. Further knowledge and understanding of surveillance and patient safety must be successfully translated from research to practice.Implications for the ProfessionThis study highlights the gaps in nursing knowledge with regard to surveillance and patient safety and encourages nursing professionals to turn to evidence‐based surveillance practices.ImpactIn addressing the problem of surveillance and its effect on patient safety, this study found that, in most clinical care settings, preventing failures to rescue and adverse patient outcomes still remains a challenge for the nursing profession. This study should have an impact on nursing academics' future research themes and on nursing professionals' future clinical practices.Reporting MethodRelevant EQUATOR guidelines have been adhered to by employing recognized bibliometric reporting methods.
