Perception of nursing students on problem-based learning

Aim: to reveal the students' perception about the problem-based learning. Method: this is a qualitative study carried out with 16 nursing undergraduates from a public university in the Southern Region of Brazil. Data were collected through individual interviews and submitted to content analysis. Results: three categories were identified: Awakening, researching and exchanging experience; Facilitating interpersonal relationships and the relation between theory and practice and lack of time to develop method. The students revealed that the problem-based learning method is a positive stimulus, because it enables the profitable relationship between students and tutors, correlating practice-theory. However, one of the greatest difficulties indicated about this method is the lack of time to develop it. Conclusion: the students perceived the method as an important and effective strategy in the teaching and learning processes.