Assessing the value of action research : using a world cafe to explore the professional journey of nurse educators

Abstract

In developing student nurses’ clinical reasoning skills, nurse educators play an important part. To promote clinical reasoning skills, nurse educators should identify and utilise appropriate student-centred teaching and learning practices. We used the World Café data collection method to explore nurse educators’ professional journey through action research. We describe how action research, participating in the study and collaborative inquiry changed teaching practices. Action research contributed to nurse educators’ professional development, allowing them to reflect on own practices and develop critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. Nurse educators reported using more student-centred teaching and learning practices. We describe the World Café method, which we used to collect data. The method can also be used in nursing education as a teaching strategy, students can explore various topics of interest whilst developing competencies in communication, building relationships and collaborative learning.