Nursing education for complex adaptive systems: Redesigning education and practice

Theoretical and pragmatic approaches are needed to support practice and teaching in nursing education. While prior research elucidates complex adaptive system models and theories directing nursing practice, less is understood about nursing education with respect to complex adaptive systems. Addressing this gap might help nurse educators prepare students for the complexities of modern nursing practice PURPOSE: The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the Nursing Education for Complex Adaptive Systems (NEXAS) model.

NEXAS was born out of inductive research through a scoping review of the Nursing Education Model. Results were organized according to original model concepts of learner, instructor, and shared outcomes.

Findings from the scoping review revealed the need to include an additional concept: complex adaptive systems. Complex adaptive systems include entropy and butterfly effects, both of which contribute to, or detract from, learners, instructors, and their shared outcomes within healthcare or academic environments.

By incorporating complex adaptive systems thinking, the NEXAS framework equips nurse educators to prepare students for any modern practice setting.