According to the International Council of Nurses, investing in nursing education enhances nurses' knowledge and competence, boosting their confidence in clinical skills, critical thinking and decision-making. A strong educational foundation is essential for developing effective nursing leaders.

At the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya we have designed our curriculum to enhance the quality of our students’ medical education. Here, we highlight some of the key tools we use with our first-year nursing students in the course Structure and Function of the Human Body (Anatomy and Physiology).

Promoting causal-effect reasoning:
Masterclasses are an effective teaching method for engaging an entire class. In a masterclass, the professor takes center stage, presenting information in a dynamic and compelling way to capture the attention of all students. A key objective of our masterclasses is to encourage causal reasoning among students. The professor introduces a series of variables, and students are tasked with organizing them into a cause-and-effect diagram. This approach aims to promote deep learning through critical thinking and reasoning, rather than relying solely on rote memorization.

Flashcards:
Each week, the professor assigns a set of questions related to the course topics for students to solve. Some questions can be answered using class notes, while others require students to seek additional information in the textbook or elsewhere. Using these questions, students create flashcards to aid their study. Some of these questions may appear on the exam. Flashcards are highly valued by students as they greatly aid in exam preparation.

Online resources:
Students can access all class materials on the Moodle platform. Additionally, they have access to a self-assessment page, which allows them to track their progress throughout the course. This feature is particularly valuable because it familiarizes students with the types of questions they will encounter on the exam. These questions vary in format and include tasks such as establishing cause-and-effect relationships, identifying anatomical structures and answering short-answer questions.

Workshops in the dissection lab and in the osteotheque:
We offer four small-group workshops that are highly valued by our students. These sessions are designed to enhance their understanding of anatomy while also fostering motivation and engagement in their studies.

Keywords: Nursing education, undergraduated, cause-effect relationships, flashcards, leadership.