Integrating Disease Investigation Escape Room and Preparedness Simulation into Nursing Education

Area of Science:

• Public Health Education
• Nursing Education
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Traditional nursing education requires innovative methods to prepare students for public health emergencies.
• Integrating interactive simulations can enhance the learning of complex public health concepts and practical skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a novel escape room game and unfolding public health preparedness simulation in nursing education.
• To assess the impact of the simulation on disease investigation, epidemiological principles, and technical skills, including tuberculosis (TB) skin testing.

Main Methods:

• A unique escape room/unfolding health preparedness simulation was designed and implemented.
• The simulation involved 29 pre-licensure nursing students, incorporating game-like activities and a realistic disaster scenario with standardized patients.

Main Results:

• Students demonstrated increased knowledge and confidence in public health preparedness.
• The simulation was recommended by students for disaster preparedness training, indicating its effectiveness.
• Evaluation data suggested areas for refining the simulation, particularly concerning nurses' roles.

Conclusions:

• The escape room simulation effectively enhanced active learning, critical thinking, and teamwork in nursing education.
• This innovative approach better prepares nursing students for real-world healthcare challenges and public health emergencies.
• Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term impact of such simulations on student outcomes.