The effect of using digital games on learning satisfaction and self-confidence in providing nursing students with...

This study was conducted to examine the effect of using digital games on knowledge, skills, satisfaction and self-confidence in teaching nursing students the skill of subcutaneous injection.

Rapid changes in the technological field have also been reflected in nursing education and digital teaching technologies have begun to gain importance in the teaching of fundamental nursing skills.

A pre-test post-test randomized controlled trial.

The study was conducted between February 2023 and July 2023 with students enrolled in the Fundamentals of Nursing course at a university in Istanbul. A total of 72 nursing students were randomly assigned to the digital game group (n = 36) and the control group (n = 36). The research data were collected using the Student Information Form, Subcutaneous Injection Knowledge Test, Subcutaneous Heparin Injection Skill Checklist and The Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale.

The digital game group had higher levels of skills, satisfaction and self-confidence (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in knowledge scores between the digital game group and the control group (p > 0.05); however, the posttest knowledge scores of the digital game group increased (p < 0.001). Post-hoc analysis showed that knowledge had a power of 0.76, skills had a power of 0.99 and satisfaction and self-confidence had a power of 0.82.

It was observed that the use of digital games in teaching a critical skill such as subcutaneous injection can improve the effectiveness of traditional education. Digital games can offer time and space independent learning opportunities when resources are limited.