Problem-based learning (PBL) is a learner-centered educational approach that helps nurses improve clinical skills through group discussion, case analysis, and collaborative problem-solving. However, the way participants are assigned to learning groups may influence how effectively they learn. Differences in learning styles among group members can affect participation, confidence, interaction quality, and knowledge retention.

The Felder-Silverman Learning Style Model (FSLSM) is a widely used framework that categorizes learners based on how they perceive, process, and understand information (e.g., active vs. reflective, visual vs. verbal). Organizing PBL groups according to similarities or differences in these learning styles may lead to different educational outcomes.

This study is a parallel, two-arm randomized controlled clinical trial designed to compare the effects of homogeneous grouping (participants with similar learning styles placed in the same group) versus heterogeneous grouping (participants with diverse learning styles placed in the same group) on PBL outcomes among hospital nurses.

Registered nurses employed in teaching hospitals affiliated with Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences are randomly assigned to one of the two grouping strategies. All participants receive the same PBL curriculum focused on patient safety and medication safety. The only difference between groups is the method used to form discussion teams.

The primary outcome is medication safety competence, measured using a validated questionnaire. Secondary outcomes include clinical reasoning competence and nursing care quality. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and eight weeks later to evaluate both immediate effects and short-term retention.

The findings of this study are expected to clarify whether grouping nurses based on similar or diverse learning styles leads to better improvement and retention of critical clinical competencies. Results may help educators design more effective PBL programs in nursing education and clinical training settings.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. written informed consent;
2. at least one year of clinical nursing experience;
3. availability to attend all scheduled workshop sessions (no planned extended leave during the intervention period);
4. completion of the Index of Learning Styles (ILS) questionnaire and availability of valid ILS scores for group allocation

Exclusion Criteria:

1. attendance in a similar PBL or patient-safety educational program within the previous 6-12 months;
2. significant uncorrectable hearing or vision impairment or severe cognitive/psychiatric condition that precluded participation;
3. concurrent participation in another interventional study likely to affect study outcomes;
4. repeated non-attendance (>2 missed sessions) or voluntary withdrawal after randomization.

At this time, the study team has not yet decided whether individual participant data (IPD) will be shared. If sharing is planned in the future, the data will include de-identified clinical data collected during the study.