Merging Problem-Based Learning and Simulation as an Innovative Pedagogy in Nurse Education

Current curriculum models rely heavily on conventional teacher-centered approaches to student learning. Recent literature challenges educators to implement student-centered learning ap- proaches. Health care complexities that confront the future of nursing education, combined with the demands of technologically literate students, challenge educators to be responsive and proactive to ad- vance student-centered learning. Undertaking a scholarly approach to teaching and learning is in keep- ing with the concept of integrative learning. This article discusses the merger of two active-learning strategies, problem-based learning and simulation, on the basis of a review of recent literature, as well as the scholarly approach undertaken to develop an innovative teachingelearning strategy. Last, it rec- ommends potential pedagogical advantages of combining these strategies in nurse education. This dis- cussion article presents the rationale for merging two well-known teaching strategies for a baccalaureate nursing program at University College Cork, Ireland.