F5 - Enhancing Critical Thinking and Collaboration in Neonatal Care: An Escape Room Simulation for Nurse Practitioner Students

Abstract : In neonatal nurse practitioner education, developing diagnostic accuracy and collaborative problem-solving in high-stakes clinical situations remains a challenge. This project aims to address gaps in traditional neonatal nurse practitioner education by introducing an escape room game format. The central issue is the need for improved diagnostic skills and collaborative problem-solving in neonatal care. The purpose is to create an interactive learning environment that engages students in diagnosing a critically ill newborn.
Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory will guide the project, emphasizing learning through experience and reflection. This framework ensures that students actively engage with the material and reflect on their experiences.
The escape room scenario will be designed and facilitated according to the INACSL Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice to simulate a real-life neonatal emergency. Students will work in teams to solve progressively challenging puzzles, each representing key diagnostic steps in neonatal emergencies.
The project will target neonatal nurse practitioner students in a clinical training program. It will be conducted in a simulated hospital setting to provide a realistic backdrop for the exercise.
Evaluation data, collected through pre- and post-simulation assessments, will measure improvements in critical thinking and teamwork skills. Diagnostic accuracy and collaboration efficiency will be evaluated, with debriefing sessions allowing for reflection on individual and team performance, identifying areas for improvement.
This project aims to demonstrate the value of the escape room format in advancing simulation-based education for neonatal nurse practitioners. If successful, it could be applied more broadly in nursing training programs.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to participate in your session.: This project introduces an escape room simulation to enhance diagnostic accuracy and collaborative problem-solving in neonatal nurse practitioner education. Guided by Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory, students will engage in team-based neonatal emergency scenarios. Evaluation through pre/post-assessments will measure improvements in critical thinking, teamwork, and diagnostic skills, offering insights for broader nursing education applications.