# Evaluating student nurses satisfaction with educational escape rooms as a pedagogical approach to teaching professional nursing values

## TL;DR

This study shows that educational escape rooms are a fun and effective way to teach nursing students about teamwork and professional values.

## Contribution

The study introduces escape rooms as a novel pedagogical tool for teaching nursing values to Generation Z students.

## Key findings

- 100% of student nurses felt part of a team during the escape room activity.
- 98% of participants reported a positive experience with the escape room.
- Escape rooms were found to enhance teamwork, decision-making, and information sharing among students.

## Abstract

Understanding the expectations of new generations of students entering higher education can be challenging. Generation Z have been brought up in a digital world, keeping them focused and entertained. Education must respond to the changing student profiles. Consideration should be given to integrating a hyper-cognitive approach to meet the expectations of students and fuel a positive learning experience for all evolving generations.

To determine student nurses’ satisfaction of escape rooms to facilitate learning of professional values; teamwork, decision making and sharing information.

Quantitative cross-sectional questionnaire to capture participants’ satisfaction following their participation in the escape room activity.

The pedagogical benefits of escape rooms were explored as a teaching strategy for the evolving generation of students entering nurse education. The premise being,offering influential ‘games’ which nurture and encourage active collaboration among students would help to form peer connections and create relationships among new students entering nurse education. Escape rooms are coactive and can drive interdependence among participants sharing a goal by creating an environment for team working in nursing education.

Of the 45 student nurses 100% (n=45) felt part of a team, 98% (n=44) had a positive experience, and only 2% (n=1) thought that the experience was stressful. Conclusion: Using escape rooms as a teaching and learning tool is an innovative pedagogical approach, offering a dynamic, hands-on experience that engages students through problem-solving and teamwork. Student nurses gave positive responses to teamwork, decision making, sharing information and enjoyment of the activity. This research will inform the development and uptake of core competencies for future nurses, creating teamwork and professionalism within a collaborative live educational environment.

Not applicable

Pilot not a controlled trial. No registration.