RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: In a nursing degree critical reasoning competency includes reasoning both inside and outside the clinical setting. One of the major challenges for nursing students is learning concepts at a high abstract level. In this sense, the LEGO® Serious Play method has the potential to improve thinking skills. AIMS: To describe a) which elements of thinking link to the learning of the nursing metaparadigm through the use of the LEGO® Serious Play "four Cs" method b) analyse how this method helps to generate critical reflective thinking in nursing students during the process of application of theoretical knowledge about the nursing metaparadigm in a new situation. METHODS: An interpretive phenomenological analysis, integrating qualitative research methods was implemented as a means of undertaking research facilitated using LEGO® Serious Play method as an innovative method of data collection. RESULTS: 280 participants were recruited. From the analysis of the contributions made to the students' forum, six categories emerged: Starting point, Consciousness, Process, Teamwork, Capacities and Limitations. CONCLUSION: LEGO® Serious Play is an effective method for teaching nursing metaparadigms and helps students acquire and generate new knowledge.