Gamification: Active Learning That Meets the Needs of Gen Z Nursing Students

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Pediatric Nursing
• Generational Learning

Background:

• Undergraduate nursing programs face challenges engaging Generation Z students.
• Traditional teaching methods may not align with the learning preferences of Generation Z.
• Bridging generational learning gaps is crucial for effective nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the impact of gamification on Generation Z nursing students' engagement.
• To assess the effectiveness of innovative teaching strategies in pediatric nursing courses.
• To improve learning outcomes and student satisfaction in undergraduate nursing education.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of various games: cardiac clay modeling, Brain Bingo, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, and an endocrine escape room.
• Utilized gamified approaches in a pediatric nursing curriculum at a large state university.
• Focus on strategies to meet the unique needs of Generation Z learners.

Main Results:

• Gamified strategies significantly boosted student engagement and course participation.
• Observed improvements in learning outcomes and higher student satisfaction rates.
• Effectiveness demonstrated even in large class settings, bridging generational learning gaps.

Conclusions:

• Innovative gamification is an effective strategy for engaging Generation Z nursing students.
• Pediatric nursing faculty can successfully implement games to enhance learning.
• Gamified learning environments improve student satisfaction and academic performance in nursing education.