Implementing a change to a learner-centered philosophy in a school of nursing: faculty perceptions

This qualitative study explores faculty experiences with their school of nursing's change to a learner-centered teaching philosophy. The primary research goals were to determine what change conditions faculty perceived as significant and how they viewed overall faculty progress and unity in adopting the philosophy. Nine nurse faculty members from a four-year public university were interviewed and also responded to two narrative questionnaires over a period of three months. Thematic analysis revealed five categories with a total of 20 themes. Certain conditions were found to be important to the process, such as availability of time and resources. Other conditions were found to be of lesser importance, such as dissatisfaction with the status quo and participation in the decision to make the change. This study provides an in-depth understanding of how one nursing faculty group experienced the implementation of change to a learner-centered philosophy.