Strategies to develop clinical reasoning in nursing students: A structured review

Background: Clinical reasoning, a critical skill for nursing practitioners, has been linked to positive patient outcomes. While experienced nurses often demonstrate clinical reasoning abilities, evidence exist that it can be taught and mastered, making its development a key responsibility of nursing...

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Main Authors: Adele Neethling, Lizeth Roets
Format: Article
Language:Afrikaans
Published: AOSIS 2025-05-01
Series:Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2889
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author Adele Neethling
Lizeth Roets
author_facet Adele Neethling
Lizeth Roets
author_sort Adele Neethling
collection DOAJ
description Background: Clinical reasoning, a critical skill for nursing practitioners, has been linked to positive patient outcomes. While experienced nurses often demonstrate clinical reasoning abilities, evidence exist that it can be taught and mastered, making its development a key responsibility of nursing education institutions. Aim: To identify and describe teaching and learning strategies that can aid the development of clinical reasoning in nursing students. Method: A structured literature review was conducted using the following databases: EBSCO Host (Academic Search Ultimate, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, ERIC, and MasterFILE Premier), NEXUS (National Research Foundation), PubMed, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Full Text. Keywords included ‘nursing education’, ‘clinical reasoning’, ‘teaching’, ‘learning’, and ‘teaching strategies’ (N = 299). Filters reduced the number to 158, with a title review yielding 21 articles and the abstract review identified 18 articles for the final review. Results: Three main strategies were identified: (1)simulation, (2) classroom activities, and (3) e-learning. Classroom strategies yielded the most results (eight), followed by simulation (six) and e-learning (four). Each strategy incorporated various teaching modalities. Conclusion: All identified strategies and their modalities enhance clinical reasoning development. Contribution: Nursing faculties should consider incorporating these strategies in line with their teaching philosophy and available resources.
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series Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
spelling doaj-art-d09bfb7c8f314396a16c1e1e1dada1972025-08-20T03:19:28ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362025-05-01300e1e810.4102/hsag.v30i0.28891255Strategies to develop clinical reasoning in nursing students: A structured reviewAdele Neethling0Lizeth Roets1Department of Health Studies, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, PretoriaDepartment of Health Studies, College of Human Sciences, University of South Africa, PretoriaBackground: Clinical reasoning, a critical skill for nursing practitioners, has been linked to positive patient outcomes. While experienced nurses often demonstrate clinical reasoning abilities, evidence exist that it can be taught and mastered, making its development a key responsibility of nursing education institutions. Aim: To identify and describe teaching and learning strategies that can aid the development of clinical reasoning in nursing students. Method: A structured literature review was conducted using the following databases: EBSCO Host (Academic Search Ultimate, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, ERIC, and MasterFILE Premier), NEXUS (National Research Foundation), PubMed, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Full Text. Keywords included ‘nursing education’, ‘clinical reasoning’, ‘teaching’, ‘learning’, and ‘teaching strategies’ (N = 299). Filters reduced the number to 158, with a title review yielding 21 articles and the abstract review identified 18 articles for the final review. Results: Three main strategies were identified: (1)simulation, (2) classroom activities, and (3) e-learning. Classroom strategies yielded the most results (eight), followed by simulation (six) and e-learning (four). Each strategy incorporated various teaching modalities. Conclusion: All identified strategies and their modalities enhance clinical reasoning development. Contribution: Nursing faculties should consider incorporating these strategies in line with their teaching philosophy and available resources.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2889clinical reasoninglearningnursing educationteachingteaching strategies
spellingShingle Adele Neethling
Lizeth Roets
Strategies to develop clinical reasoning in nursing students: A structured review
Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
clinical reasoning
learning
nursing education
teaching
teaching strategies
title Strategies to develop clinical reasoning in nursing students: A structured review
title_full Strategies to develop clinical reasoning in nursing students: A structured review
title_fullStr Strategies to develop clinical reasoning in nursing students: A structured review
title_full_unstemmed Strategies to develop clinical reasoning in nursing students: A structured review
title_short Strategies to develop clinical reasoning in nursing students: A structured review
title_sort strategies to develop clinical reasoning in nursing students a structured review
topic clinical reasoning
learning
nursing education
teaching
teaching strategies
url https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2889
work_keys_str_mv AT adeleneethling strategiestodevelopclinicalreasoninginnursingstudentsastructuredreview
AT lizethroets strategiestodevelopclinicalreasoninginnursingstudentsastructuredreview