Facilitating the development of clinical reasoning skills amongst undergraduate student nurses through action research

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20853/40-3-6523

Keywords:

action research, clinical reasoning, critical thinking, student-centered teaching and learning, nursing education, student nurse

Abstract

Student-centered teaching and learning practices encourage critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills in nursing education, but these practices are challenging for nurse educators. This study followed an action research approach, which involved collective, self-reflective inquiry by the participating nurse educators to identify educational practices that will foster the development of clinical reasoning skills among undergraduate student nurses. This paper describes the action research applied, outlining the implementation and outcomes which led to a co-constructed action plan. Four challenges: teaching, learning, and assessment; the clinical learning environment; continuous professional development and support; as well as the selection of nurse educators and students was addressed. This reflective process contributed to nurse educators evaluating their own pedagogy and adapting their teaching and learning practices to foster clinical reasoning skills among nursing students.

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Author Biographies

A. van Wyngaarden, University of Pretoria

Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences

R. Leech, University of Pretoria

Faculty of Health Sciences 

I. Coetzee, University of Pretoria

 

Faculty of Health Sciences 

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Published

2026-06-06

How to Cite

van Wyngaarden, A., R. Leech, and I. Coetzee. 2026. “Facilitating the Development of Clinical Reasoning Skills Amongst Undergraduate Student Nurses through Action Research”. South African Journal of Higher Education 40 (3):279-91. https://doi.org/10.20853/40-3-6523.

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