Abstract
Shift, a Serious-Gaming simulation, aims to revolutionize simulation education by providing an immersive, interactive platform that replicates real-world scenarios with detailed attention to INACSL standards for evidence-informed excellence in simulation. Simulation is a fundamental part of nursing education, but the traditional approach may not fully cater to the learning preferences of the future nursing workforce. Traditional educational methods often fail to fully engage tech-savvy cohorts who thrive on interactivity, instant feedback, and multimedia content. The project was designed to enhance knowledge acquisition and promote reflection on critical decision-making in an engrossing tech-infused platform compatible with most devices. The modules are intentionally brief, providing impactful bursts of engaging instruction and immediate feedback. Players engage in various clinical situations that mirror challenges nurses experience during a typical day. Players are challenged in a choose-your-own adventure game, exploring different decision points as they complete their “shift.” This platform immerses learners in the world of professional nursing practice and aids in bridging the transition to practice gap. Players must make pivotal choices in high-pressure environments where time management is essential, fostering a reflective learning process that highlights the consequences of their actions.
An internal grant funded a pilot study for Shift, which was completed in Spring 2024. This initial iteration focused on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). Early user results indicate that the product is engaging and effective in increasing awareness of IPC protocols. Adjectives used to describe Shift include “informative,” “needed in the profession,” and “engaging.”
Patient care is more complex than ever, and a new generation of nursing students is entering nursing programs, placing nursing education at a critical juncture. We must explore alternatives to traditional simulation labs, classroom, and clinical instructional approaches to adjust to these changes. Tapping into a Serious Gaming instructional design fosters knowledge growth and bolsters decision-making confidence. Shift offers an innovative, impactful, learner-centered game tailored to modern nursing education needs. More importantly, it can improve the transition to practice, significantly advancing nursing education and patient safety.
Notes
References:
Arias-Calderón, M., Castro, J., & Gayol, S. (2022). Serious games as a method for enhancing learning engagement: Student perception on online higher education during COVID-19. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.889975
Brull, S., & Finlayson, S. (2016). Importance of gamification in increasing learning. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 47(8), 372–375. https://doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20160715-09
Chatzea, V. E., Logothetis, I., Kalogiannakis, M., Rovithis, M., & Vidakis, N. (2024). Digital Educational Tools for Undergraduate Nursing Education: A Review of Serious Games, Gamified Applications and Non-Gamified Virtual Reality Simulations/Tools for Nursing Students. Information (2078-2489), 15(7), 410. https://doi.org/10.3390/info15070410
Demircan, B., Kiyak, Y., & Kaya, H. (2024). The effectiveness of serious games in nursing education: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies. Nurse Education Today, 142, N.PAG-N.PAG. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106330
Kowitlawakul, Y., Tan, J. J. M., Suebnukarn, S., Nguyen, H. D., Poo, D. C. C., Chai, J., Wang, W., & Devi, K. (2022). Utilizing educational technology in enhancing undergraduate nursing students’ engagement and motivation: A scoping review. Journal of Professional Nursing, 42, 262–275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2022.07.015
Malicki, A., Vergara, F. H., Van de Castle, B., Goyeneche, P., Mann, S., Preston Scott, M., Seiler, J., Meneses, M. Z., & Whalen, M. (2020). Gamification in nursing education: An integrative literature review. The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing, 51(11), 509–515. https://doi.org/10.3928/00220124-20201014-07
Sigma Membership
Iota Beta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Pilot/Exploratory Study
Keywords:
Teaching and Learning Strategies, Competence, Transition to Practice, Onboarding, Nursing Education, Emerging Technologies, Simulation, Critical Decision Making, Clinical Decision Making, Gaming
Recommended Citation
Rothfus, Stacie and Geist, Melissa J., "Shift: Master Clinical Decision Making through a Gamified, Interactive Experience" (2025). Biennial Convention (CONV). 91.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/convention/2025/presentations_2025/91
Conference Name
48th Biennial Convention
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2025-11-26
Shift: Master Clinical Decision Making through a Gamified, Interactive Experience
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Shift, a Serious-Gaming simulation, aims to revolutionize simulation education by providing an immersive, interactive platform that replicates real-world scenarios with detailed attention to INACSL standards for evidence-informed excellence in simulation. Simulation is a fundamental part of nursing education, but the traditional approach may not fully cater to the learning preferences of the future nursing workforce. Traditional educational methods often fail to fully engage tech-savvy cohorts who thrive on interactivity, instant feedback, and multimedia content. The project was designed to enhance knowledge acquisition and promote reflection on critical decision-making in an engrossing tech-infused platform compatible with most devices. The modules are intentionally brief, providing impactful bursts of engaging instruction and immediate feedback. Players engage in various clinical situations that mirror challenges nurses experience during a typical day. Players are challenged in a choose-your-own adventure game, exploring different decision points as they complete their “shift.” This platform immerses learners in the world of professional nursing practice and aids in bridging the transition to practice gap. Players must make pivotal choices in high-pressure environments where time management is essential, fostering a reflective learning process that highlights the consequences of their actions.
An internal grant funded a pilot study for Shift, which was completed in Spring 2024. This initial iteration focused on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC). Early user results indicate that the product is engaging and effective in increasing awareness of IPC protocols. Adjectives used to describe Shift include “informative,” “needed in the profession,” and “engaging.”
Patient care is more complex than ever, and a new generation of nursing students is entering nursing programs, placing nursing education at a critical juncture. We must explore alternatives to traditional simulation labs, classroom, and clinical instructional approaches to adjust to these changes. Tapping into a Serious Gaming instructional design fosters knowledge growth and bolsters decision-making confidence. Shift offers an innovative, impactful, learner-centered game tailored to modern nursing education needs. More importantly, it can improve the transition to practice, significantly advancing nursing education and patient safety.
Description
Shift, a Serious-Game simulation, revolutionizes nursing education by offering an immersive platform replicating real-world scenarios. Brief modules are utilized with immediate feedback on critical decision-making as learners complete a nursing shift. This interactive approach bolsters decision-making confidence and highlights the consequences of actions, bridging the transition to practice gap. This design offers an innovative and impactful learner-centered approach to modern nursing education.