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Transfer of learning in baccalaureate nursing education: a systematic scoping review

  • Cathleen A. Evans ORCID logo EMAIL logo , Barbara Patterson , Brenda Elliott ORCID logo , Katie A. Chargualaf and Mary L. Baumberger-Henry
Published/Copyright: March 24, 2025
International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship
From the journal International Journal of Nursing Education Scholarship Volume 22 Issue 1

Abstract

Objectives

Examine how transfer of learning (ToL) has been applied in baccalaureate nursing education.

Methods

A systematic scoping review was conducted with the search terms transfer, transfer of learning, transfer of knowledge, and learning transfer, of peer-reviewed literature in CINAHL, Medline, and Google Scholar. Inductive content analysis with open coding was employed.

Results

Thirty-three sources were included in the final review: 26 research and seven non-research. Researchers identified three ToL categories: process, measure, and context. A mixture of terminology, definitions, and theoretical underpinnings contributed to conceptual confusion.

Implications for international audience

Understanding how ToL was applied in baccalaureate nursing education could inform educators how to develop competency-based curricula. Variable use of ToL in the literature limits meaningful applicability.

Conclusions

Identification of inconsistent terminology, measure, and varying applications of ToL in the literature was evident.

Keywords: baccalaureate nursing education; scoping review; transfer of learning; educator
Corresponding author: Cathleen A. Evans, PhD, RN, CEN, CNE, NDHP-BC, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, Widener University, One University Place, Chester, PA 19013, USA, E-mail:

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the generous assistance of Kristina Dorsett, MSIS with the extensive literature search.

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Informed consent: Not applicable.

  3. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.

  4. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  5. Conflict of interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.

  6. Research funding: None declared.

  7. Data availability: Not applicable.

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Received: 2024-03-11
Accepted: 2024-10-15
Published Online: 2025-03-24

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Association between admission criteria to nurse practitioner program in Israel and academic success: a retrospective study analysis
  2. Literature Reviews
  3. Higher education nursing students’ literacy skills: a scoping review
  4. Predictors of classroom exams, standardized exams, and nursing licensure exams in U.S. and international undergraduate RN and PN nursing programs: a scoping review
  5. Transfer of learning in baccalaureate nursing education: a systematic scoping review
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  8. Exploring the link of educational environment and self-esteem with critical thinking in undergraduate nursing university students: a cross-sectional study
  9. Navigating global mobility: a comparative study of nursing education in Nepal and Australia
  10. The impact of simulation-based ethical education on nursing students’ moral distress levels
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  17. Exploring the perceptions of practical nursing students on caring for the older person
  18. Nurse educators’ experience in implementing concept-based curriculum: a phenomenology study
  19. Perception of nursing students on nursing teamwork in hospitals in Slovakia: a cross-sectional study
  20. Lived experiences of international nursing students regarding the studying challenges: a phenomenology study
  21. Educational Process, Issue, Trend
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https://doi.org/10.1515/ijnes-2024-0022
Keywords for this article
baccalaureate nursing education; scoping review; transfer of learning; educator

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Association between admission criteria to nurse practitioner program in Israel and academic success: a retrospective study analysis
  2. Literature Reviews
  3. Higher education nursing students’ literacy skills: a scoping review
  4. Predictors of classroom exams, standardized exams, and nursing licensure exams in U.S. and international undergraduate RN and PN nursing programs: a scoping review
  5. Transfer of learning in baccalaureate nursing education: a systematic scoping review
  6. Research Articles
  7. Exploring nurse faculty perceptions of notetaking
  8. Exploring the link of educational environment and self-esteem with critical thinking in undergraduate nursing university students: a cross-sectional study
  9. Navigating global mobility: a comparative study of nursing education in Nepal and Australia
  10. The impact of simulation-based ethical education on nursing students’ moral distress levels
  11. Affective learning assessment of beginning nursing students
  12. Examining perspectives of instructors and students on the instruction of care plans within the nursing process – a qualitative inquiry
  13. The Doctoral Seminar in nursing: an exploration of the literature and trends found in Canadian syllabi
  14. Deliberate practice of medication administration among nursing students: a pilot study
  15. Canadian nursing students and education in medical and recreational cannabis: a preliminary evidence
  16. Flourishing in nursing: positive factors that contributed to mental wellbeing of nursing students in Thailand
  17. Exploring the perceptions of practical nursing students on caring for the older person
  18. Nurse educators’ experience in implementing concept-based curriculum: a phenomenology study
  19. Perception of nursing students on nursing teamwork in hospitals in Slovakia: a cross-sectional study
  20. Lived experiences of international nursing students regarding the studying challenges: a phenomenology study
  21. Educational Process, Issue, Trend
  22. Nursing student needs assessment and preferences for faculty-led mentoring
  23. Pedagogical matters: a dialogue of diverse persons, perspectives, and programs
  24. Effects of cooperative learning on undergraduate nursing students: a quasi- experimental study
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