Problem Based Learning in Nursing:A New Approach of Active Learning

Background: Problem Based Learning (PBL) is an instructional method for active learning for nursing students to understand the concept, improve the critical thinking and develop problem solving skills.

Purpose: problem-based learning is an approach that develops students' ability to critically apply the cumulative knowledge to actual clinical problems which reinforces motivation to learn, develops clinical reasoning skills, and enhance self-directed and life-long learning.

Method: Active learning by problem based learning will be applied as the teaching instructional method in nursing. In this method, four different case scenario will be given to all class students in small groups. All groups will be given the time to debate, critique, analyze and conclude the different case scenario. The teacher will act as a facilitator for student's active learning and discuss the different cases. David Merrill's first principles of instructions will be applied in PBL. So, as a result PBL will be used for active learning as a teaching module in nursing to develop the skills of learning effectively, team working, and communication and most importantly high order cognitive skills in nursing Practice.

Anticipated Implications: PBL is a method that allows the nursing students to explore real problem situations with an emphasis on problem-solving. PBL is a learner-centered method of teaching and it helps student to become more effective in identifying, seeking out and assimilating knowledge in nursing. PBL approaches for active learning. So, it will also help Nursing students to retain the knowledge for long term and perform better in their examination.