Gamification as an In Situ Educational Strategy for Nurses in the Clinical Setting

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Professional Development
• Educational Technology

Background:

• Traditional nursing education methods face challenges with protected time, scheduling constraints, and learner engagement.
• Existing methods may not consistently meet individual learning needs or adapt to clinical practice demands.
• Need for flexible, engaging professional development strategies within the clinical setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a gamified in situ microlearning approach for nursing professional development.
• To evaluate the impact of this approach on nurse confidence and knowledge retention.
• To assess the effect on staff satisfaction within the clinical practice setting.

Main Methods:

• An educational intervention utilizing gamified microlearning was implemented directly in the clinical setting.
• This in situ approach aimed to prevent scheduling conflicts and minimize disruptions to patient care.
• Education covered 18 distinct topics over a 12-month period.

Main Results:

• The gamified microlearning intervention was associated with increased self-reported confidence among nursing staff.
• Knowledge retention was positively influenced by the microlearning approach.
• Staff satisfaction levels were maintained and not negatively impacted by the educational intervention.

Conclusions:

• Gamified in situ microlearning represents a valuable supplementary strategy for nursing professional development.
• This method effectively enhances learning and confidence without compromising staff satisfaction or clinical workflow.
• The approach offers a flexible and engaging alternative to traditional educational models in healthcare settings.