The effectiveness of badging systems in engaging, motivating, and incentivizing students in the mastery of nursing licensure materials.

Abstract

Integrating gamification methods into undergraduate nursing programs has prepared students to pass the nursing comprehensive predictor test and the licensure examination. Research demonstrates that the motivational factors of game elements like badging and leaderboards are of great value and utility to student engagement and motivation. The badges symbolize achievement, authority, and belonging, whereas leaderboards rank students based on different levels of course engagement. This paper explores the benefits, challenges, and strategies of incorporating digital badges and leaderboards in the undergraduate program. Immersion courses preparing students for professional practice are usually one of the last didactic courses offered in the undergraduate curriculum, designed to integrate all knowledge gained from the nursing program. The digital badging system can encourage nurse educators globally to engage, motivate, and power students to achieve professional goals. Furthermore, nursing programs worldwide can benefit from adding digital badges and leaderboards to final semester preparatory courses or any nursing course with the same emphasis. Digital badges and leaderboards engage and motivate students to integrate knowledge and skills learned in the nursing program and successfully master nurse licensure materials.