Benefits, Limitations and Administrative Methods of Learning Contracts in Nursing Clinical Education: A Narrative Review

Learning contract is an individual and dynamic process through which students become self-directed and proactive in learning. Several studies have underscored using this method in nursing education. The purpose of this paper was to review benefits, limitations and administrative methods of learning contracts in nursing clinical education.
This paper is a narrative review. Databases of PubMed, Elsevier, Magiran and SID were searched for publications using the keywords “learning contracts”, “self-directed learning”, “nursing education”, “clinical education” or a combination of these words. At the end, out of the 47 publications found on the topic of learning contracts, 21 papers published from 1990-2015 were selected and analyzed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Findings were summarized in three domains: benefits, limitations and administrative methods of learning contracts. The learning contracts approach would bring about both benefits and limitations in areas related to teachers and students. Despite the limitations, it may allow learners to engage in choosing and focusing on specific theories and skills related to various clinical situations, and to take responsibility for their own learnings. Also, the administrative methods of learning contracts can be used in 6 different steps.
Learning contracts, as an effective method of clinical education focusing on professionalism, communication, teamwork, and continuing scientific literacy, can be implemented in training efficient and autonomous nurses. Therefore, authorities and planners should consider learning contracts in clinical education programs.