Fun Learning: How Games Help Nursing Students

Nursing school can be tough. Students often feel stressed and find it hard to stay motivated. But what if playing games could make learning easier and more enjoyable? A recent study suggests that adding game-like features to lessons can make a big difference. The study involved 163 third-year nursing students. They took a special course that used games to teach about normal birth and nursing care. The games were created using a model called the TOY Gamification Model. The results were surprising. Students who learned with games were more motivated and paid more attention. Female students, in particular, showed a lot of motivation. Male students, on the other hand, spent more time playing digital games outside of class. The study also looked at different learning styles. It found that students who like hands-on learning (active) and those who prefer to think things through (reflective) benefited the most from the games. However, not all students responded the same way. While games helped many, some might need different approaches. The key takeaway? Games can be a powerful tool in nursing education, but they're not a one-size-fits-all solution. So, can games really boost learning in nursing school? The answer seems to be yes, but it's important to consider different learning styles and preferences. Games can make learning more fun and effective, but they should be used as part of a broader approach to education.