Integrating the affective domain in nursing education: A systematic review of pedagogical strategies and outcomes

• Affective learning enhances emotional intelligence and empathy in nursing students. • This article reviews pedagogical strategies for integrating affective learning in nursing. • Findings can guide educators in implementing affective learning to improve patient care. To systematically review pedagogical strategies for integrating the affective domain in nursing education and evaluate their outcomes on emotional intelligence, professional identity, and empathy among nursing students. Systematic literature review. Peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, and academic journals from databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and ERIC. Inclusion criteria focused on studies that implemented affective learning strategies in nursing education. Data extraction and synthesis were performed to identify common themes and outcomes. The review identified various affective learning strategies, including empathy training, reflective journaling, and immersive simulations. These strategies were found to enhance emotional intelligence, professional identity, and empathy in nursing students. Integrating the affective domain in nursing education is crucial for developing well-rounded nurses. The findings provide valuable insights for educators to implement affective learning strategies, ultimately improving patient care and professional development for associate degree nurses.