The popularity of escape rooms has grown exponentially in the past decade, with these simulated group activities becoming an established part of gaming and pop culture. But the concept offers more than just a fun distraction or chance to work cooperatively with friends and family. Increasingly, these games are being incorporated into simulation-based clinical education.

An opportunity for collaboration.

In an escape room activity, a group of people work together to find clues, solve puzzles, and complete tasks within a set period of time. As they do so, they may progress through one room or several, but the goal is typically the same: for the group to “escape” from a simulated situation.

Step-by-step guide.

Educators have been exploring the use of this approach in nursing education to reinforce knowledge and engage students. As nurse educator Janice Hawkins and her colleagues at Old Dominion University School of Nursing in Virginia point out:

“By requiring a group of learners to solve a series of skills-related puzzles, educational escape rooms can help to build critical thinking, communication, and cooperative problem-solving skills.”

In “Behind the Scenes of an Educational Escape Room,” they provide a step-by-step guide to developing an effective educational escape room. Their advice stems from their yearlong experience […]