Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research | May-June 2014 | Vol. 19 | Issue 3 248 1,2 Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, 3 Nursing Department, Medical Sciences Faculty, Tarbiat Modares University, 4 Elderly Care Research Center, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran Address for correspondence: Dr. Abbas Ebadi, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Nursing Faculty, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: ebadi1347@bmsu.ac.ir behavior in perspective of the learner practically in order to make necessary conditions for role modeling and imitation for him/her. [4] In the importance of the role of model, it has been said that role of the model in guiding people is like exemplar for education and compass for path; he/she teaches unbeknown to the person and shows necessities. [5] Modeling and Role-Modeling (MRM) theory was developed by Ericksin, Tomlin, and Swain in 1982. The aim of MRM is helping people for growth, evolution, improvement, and self-actualization. In this theory, modeling is a central content which, in that a person, makes a picture and perception of another person’s world with that person’s framework, points of view, values, and perspectives.Role modeling needs to have modeling form from the person’s at first. . MRM theory can be used in teaching in the case that teachers try to perceive their students’ world and design teaching strategies in order to help their growth. [6] There have been lots of studies about the importance of models’ role in teaching nursing, in a way that role modeling has been introduced as one of the most important functions of nursing teachers and the sign of teaching competence. [7] To be a model is one of the 12 necessary roles of a teacher. [8] INTRODUCTION T he term “role modeling” was raised for the first time by sociologist Merton in 1950 in a research about socializing medical students; he stated that people compare themselves with a reference group. [1] Role modeling mainly relies on imitation and observation, [2] which is one of the basic contents of social learning theory of Bandura, and according to social learning theory supporters, the most important type of human learning is observational learning. [3] Model or role model method is a method that is based on the axis of modeling and providing concrete and practical examples. In this method, teacher tries to put appropriate Original Article Experiences of role model instructors and nursing students about facilitator factors of role-modeling process: A qualitative research Jamileh Mokhtari Nouri 1 , Abbas Ebadi 2 , Fatemeh Alhani 3 , Nahid Rejeh 4 ABSTRACT Background: One of the key strategies in students’ learning is the influence of models on them. Understanding the factors affecting the implementation of role-modeling process in education will help to make greater use of this training strategy. This study aimed to understand the experiences of role model instructors and nursing students about the facilitator factors in the role-modeling process. Material and Methods: This qualitative study was carried out by using thematic analysis method and purposeful sampling. Data were collected until saturation by using three focus group discussions (n = 20) and two individual interviews with nursing instructors, as well as six semi-structured face-to-face interviews with role model instructors from five nursing faculties of Tehran universities in 2011. Results: Six themes, “effort for humanistic and professional growth of students,” “individual and managerial empowerment of instructor,” “instructor and student’s modeling,” “motivation and effort of student,” “strategies governing the education system,” and “appropriate facilities and equipment,” were extracted as the facilitating factors. Conclusions: For development of role-modeling process in nursing education, paying attention to personal and environmental factors, especially effort for professional and humanistic growth of nursing students is necessary. Key words: Key words: Education, facilitator, growth, Iran, nursing instructor, nursing student, role model