Gamification: A pedagogical strategy for generation Z nursing students

Background: Nurse educators must develop teaching strategies to meet the growing needs of healthcare and engage Generation Z nursing students. Gamification based learning activities, such as educational escape rooms, combine multiple modalities that appeal to the current generation of nursing students.  Educational escape rooms have the potential to improve teamwork and achievement of learning outcomes among nursing students. However, few studies have been done to identify nursing student perception of the educational and teambuilding value of these activities. Methods: A longitudinal exploratory study was conducted to determine baccalaureate nursing student perceptions of the value of team-based escape rooms as an educational tool and compare self-reported teamwork scores after completing a series of escape activities. Students were recruited from a baccalaureate nursing course to participate in five escape room activities and asked to complete anonymous online surveys to determine perceptions of educational value and teamwork after each activity.Results: A total of 33 participants responded positively to educational escape rooms with 100% of participants stating they would recommend this activity to others. Teamwork assessments were also positive with improvement as the study progressed.Conclusions: Educational escape rooms are an appropriate tool for nurse educators today that students value and enjoy. The use of escape rooms in nursing education engages students in learning while also improving teamwork.