An escape room simulation focused on renal-impairment for prelicensure nursing students

The goal of a hands-on approach to present concepts in nursing curricula is to prepare graduates to meet the demands of professional practice. This teaching and learning project incorporated an interactive methodology for teaching associate degree nursing students. A needs analysis revealed a lack of understanding of acute kidney injury. To address this gap, learners completed an escape room, utilizing Kolb's experiential learning theory. Learners were students enrolled in the third semester of an associate degree registered nursing program. Five of the eight student groups successfully escaped, and the mean score of the post-test increased to 86% from a pretest mean of 73.5%. Students found the activity to be a fun way to apply their knowledge. Results indicate escape rooms help prepare students for future practice. Using gamification strategies increases student learning, promotes learner socialization, and builds confidence.