An Escape Game for Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Students: Is Time on Your Side?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Active Learning Strategies
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Active learning strategies are supported by literature for integration into medical curricula.
• Traditional didactic lectures may not fully prepare students for clinical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight an innovative approach using a neonatal escape game to engage students.
• To facilitate the application of didactic lecture material into clinical management scenarios.

Main Methods:

• A case-based escape game was designed requiring critical evaluation of lab values and assessment findings.
• Students performed calculations to solve clues within a 20-minute time limit.
• Pre- and post-surveys assessed changes in confidence related to clinical reasoning.

Main Results:

• Three out of four teams successfully completed the escape game within the time limit.
• Post-simulation surveys indicated increased student confidence, with Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M) scores showing improvement.
• A statistically significant 18.15% growth in curriculum content understanding was observed (P <.05).

Conclusions:

• Alternative learning activities, like escape games, enhance the application of didactic material.
• This approach prepares students for the transition into clinical practice by reinforcing learned concepts in a simulated environment.