Student-Centered Pedagogical Strategies in Nursing Education: A Systematic Review and Meta-Synthesis of Experiences, Perceived Impacts, Facilitators, and Barriers.

Authors

Solmaz Saeidi, Moluk Pouralizadeh, Zahra Taheri-Ezbarami, Hamid Sharif-Nia, Ehsan Kazemnejad Leili

Published in

SAGE open nursing. Volume 12. Pages 23779608261466384. Epub Jul 07, 2026.

Abstract

To promote active learning, critical thinking, and professionalism among nursing students, pedagogical practices are increasingly shifting to student-centered approaches. This systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies and mixed-methods studies was undertaken to examine the perspectives of both nursing students and educators of their experiences of student-centered pedagogies.
This review was reported in accordance with the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) statement, with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement's flow diagram followed to ensure transparency of the review study selection process. A systematic search was undertaken in five major electronic databases of peer-reviewed, qualitative studies and mixed-methods studies with a qualitative component published between 2015 and 2025. SPIDER tool was used for inclusion criteria. A data extraction form was developed for this synthesis, and thematic synthesis was carried out according to Thomas and Harden (2008) using NVivo 12. The risk of bias was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Checklist.
The database search yielded 366 citations from which 31 studies were ultimately included in this review. Synthesis identified four main themes: 1) facilitating students' active cognitive engagement; 2) fostering of clinical competence and metacognitive competence; 3) fostering positive, supportive learning environments; 4) addressing facilitators and barriers, namely, cognitive overload and resistance to change and lack of resources and institutional support.
Student-centered pedagogies may improve students' learning, engagement, and clinical and metacognitive competence within nursing education. However, for student-centered pedagogies to be implemented effectively, identified barriers to student engagement need to be addressed. Further, it is necessary to facilitate the implementation of this pedagogical shift by providing faculty development and curricula, and support infrastructure.

PMID:
42428566
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 10 Jul 2026.

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