Nursing students collaborating in an action learning set, brainstorming ideas.

Unlock Collaborative Learning: How Action Learning Sets Transform Nursing Education

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Jordan Keane in Mind & Education August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover how action learning sets (ALS) can revolutionize nursing education by fostering collaborative and deliberative learning, empowering students to tackle real-world challenges together."


In the ever-evolving landscape of nursing education, fostering collaborative and deliberative learning is paramount. Traditional teaching methods often fall short in equipping students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare. Action learning sets (ALS) are emerging as a powerful alternative, offering a dynamic and engaging approach to graduate nursing education.

Action learning sets provide a structured environment where students can collaboratively explore real-world challenges, reflect on their experiences, and develop innovative solutions. Unlike passive learning environments, ALS actively involve students in the learning process, promoting deeper understanding and critical thinking.

This article examines how action learning sets can facilitate collaborative and deliberative learning among Graduate Entry Pre-registration nursing (GEN) students, drawing on a focus group evaluation of their experiences. By exploring the benefits and challenges of ALS, this article offers valuable insights for nurse educators seeking to enhance their teaching methods and empower the next generation of nursing professionals.

Action Learning Sets: A Catalyst for Collaborative Learning

Nursing students collaborating in an action learning set, brainstorming ideas.

At its core, an action learning set (ALS) is a small group of individuals who meet regularly to work on solving each other's problems or challenges. The process involves several key steps:

Participants present a problem or challenge they are facing in their practice.

  • The group asks clarifying questions to fully understand the issue.
  • Participants offer suggestions, insights, and alternative perspectives.
  • The problem-holder reflects on the feedback and commits to specific actions.
  • At the next meeting, the group reviews the actions taken and the outcomes achieved.
This cyclical process of problem-solving, reflection, and action creates a powerful learning environment. Research indicates that ALS can improve communication, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and leadership abilities. For nursing students, these skills are essential for providing high-quality patient care and navigating the complexities of the healthcare system.

Empowering Future Nurses Through Collaborative Action

The study of action learning sets reveals their potential to revolutionize nursing education. By fostering collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, ALS can empower students to become effective and compassionate healthcare providers. The insights gained from this research can inform the design and implementation of ALS programs in nursing schools worldwide, ultimately contributing to a more skilled and prepared nursing workforce.

While this study focused on GEN students, the lessons learned are applicable to a wider range of nursing education programs, from undergraduate to postgraduate levels. As healthcare continues to evolve, it is crucial for nurse educators to embrace innovative teaching methods that promote collaborative learning and prepare students to meet the challenges of the future.

Embracing action learning sets is not just about improving academic outcomes; it's about cultivating a culture of collaboration, reflection, and continuous improvement within the nursing profession. By empowering students to learn from each other and tackle real-world problems together, we can build a stronger, more resilient, and more compassionate healthcare system.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly are action learning sets and how do they work in nursing education?

Action learning sets (ALS) provide a structured environment where graduate nursing students collaboratively tackle real-world challenges. Unlike traditional passive learning, ALS involves active participation, deeper understanding, and enhanced critical thinking. Students present problems, receive feedback, reflect, and commit to actions, creating a cyclical process of problem-solving and learning.

2

Can you explain the core process involved in action learning sets?

The action learning set (ALS) process involves participants presenting a problem, the group asking clarifying questions, offering suggestions, and the problem-holder reflecting and committing to actions. At subsequent meetings, the group reviews actions taken and outcomes achieved. This cyclical process fosters a powerful learning environment, which can significantly improve communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.

3

In what ways do action learning sets improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills for nursing students?

Action learning sets (ALS) enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills by providing a structured environment for collaborative exploration of real-world challenges. This approach contrasts with passive learning, actively engaging students in the learning process to promote a deeper understanding. The collaborative nature of ALS fosters diverse perspectives and innovative solutions, equipping students to navigate complex healthcare scenarios.

4

Why are action learning sets especially useful in graduate nursing education?

Action learning sets (ALS) are particularly relevant in graduate nursing education because they address the need for collaborative and deliberative learning. Traditional teaching methods often fall short in equipping students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills required in modern healthcare. ALS offers a dynamic alternative, enabling students to develop essential skills for providing high-quality patient care and navigating the complexities of the healthcare system.

5

What aspects of action learning sets are not discussed, and what are the future implications of these missing topics?

While the text focuses on the benefits of action learning sets (ALS) in enhancing collaborative learning, it does not detail specific strategies for assessing the effectiveness of ALS interventions or address the potential challenges in facilitating ALS groups, such as managing group dynamics or ensuring equitable participation. Further research and practical guidance are needed to address these aspects and optimize the implementation of ALS in nursing education. Future work could explore specific assessment methodologies, strategies for mitigating challenges, and the impact of ALS on patient outcomes.

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