The Simulation Games: Bringin' It to the Bedside.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Simulation-Based Learning
• Gamification in Healthcare Education

Background:

• Nursing students often experience anxiety and feel unprepared for initial clinical experiences despite lab skill practice.
• Traditional lab settings may not fully bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement a capstone lab integrating gaming and simulation to enhance nursing students' readiness for clinical practice.
• The lab aimed to consolidate prior learning and foster critical thinking skills before students begin supervised patient care.

Main Methods:

• Second-year baccalaureate nursing students participated in a team-based, gamified simulation lab.
• Students managed simulated patient scenarios in various roles, with opportunities for remediation and structured debriefing.

Main Results:

• Students reported the gamified lab was beneficial, describing it as "stressful, but in a good way."
• The lab successfully challenged students to apply previously acquired knowledge.
• A majority of students experienced reduced anxiety and increased confidence regarding their clinical practice.

Conclusions:

• Integrating gaming elements into simulation effectively maintained student engagement.
• The approach promoted critical thinking and knowledge synthesis, crucial for clinical readiness.
• This innovative lab design better prepares nursing students for the transition to clinical experiences.