The Impact of Gamification on Nursing Students’ Academic Performance: An Integrative Review

AIM: This integrative review appraises the literature on the impact of gamification on academic performance among prelicensure nursing students. BACKGROUND: Traditional classroom lectures in nursing education often rely on passive teaching strategies, limiting student engagement. Game-based learning has emerged as an innovative approach to enhance active learning and improve learning outcomes. METHOD: Following Whittemore and Knafl's guidelines, a systematic search of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature database identified research studies published after 2000. Critical appraisal was conducted using evidence-based tools, yielding 18 quantitative studies that met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Four key themes were identified: enhanced academic performance, improved knowledge retention, increased student satisfaction, and strengthened clinical skills. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that gamification positively influences knowledge retention in nursing didactic courses. Further research is needed to explore its impact on competency development and clinical application. Faculty development optimizing the use of gamification is needed.