The Simulation Games: Bringin' It to the Bedside.

BACKGROUND

Although nursing students practice skills in labs as part of the curriculum, many report feeling anxious and unprepared for their first clinical experience.

PURPOSE

A capstone lab, integrating gaming with simulation, was implemented to assimilate previous learning and promote critical thinking before beginning clinical experiences.

METHODS

Second-year baccalaureate nursing students participated in a gamified lab with simulated scenarios working in teams in various roles to manage patient situations. Remediation opportunities throughout the lab and formal structured debriefing further maximized their learning.

RESULTS

Students reported the lab was beneficial. Most students found the lab "stressful, but in a good way," which challenged them to apply previous learning. Most students cited reduced anxiety and increased confidence for practice after the labs.

CONCLUSIONS

Integrating gaming with simulated scenarios maintained student engagement while encouraging critical thinking and knowledge synthesis to better prepare them for clinical experiences.