Members of Midwest Association for Nursing Professional Development (MANPD), an affiliate of the Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD), recently organized a learning opportunity titled "Adventure Island: Upgrade Your Time Management and Gamification Skills."

Each sharing their unique skills as NPDs from different organizations, MANPD members Jordan Melton, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, Kurtis Hammitt, MSN, RN, Mandy Walter, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, WHNP-BC, and Megan Ramirez, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, created a unique and interactive learning experience that captured the imagination of participants. Through their inventive, game-focused approach, they taught gamification, serious gaming, and time management skills. Read on for ANPD’s conversation with MANPD members on how their presentation played out.

Can you share background on the event and how it came about?

Kurtis Hammit (KH): The team came together during a board meeting, where gamification was discussed as our main goal. Our president and treasurer noted my experience in gamification and asked me to lead the project. Although I focus more on in-person gamification, I saw the potential for virtual gamification and suggested a multi-organization presentation. Megan, who excels in virtual gamification, also became involved. This was a unique opportunity since we hadn't done a blended presentation with multiple organizations before. Our treasurer contributed by proposing the structure for the second portion, and we identified time management as a crucial aspect, which Jordan and Mandy took on. We ended up with almost three hours of content instead of the initially planned two hours.

Midwest NPD holds two conferences annually, one in spring and one in fall. Initially focused on Milwaukee, we expanded into Illinois and partnered with the Chicago chapter of NPD due to virtual options and the growth of Advocate Aurora. This allowed us to reach beyond Milwaukee and cover a larger Midwestern region. The name "Midwest NPD" was chosen through a voting process by participants. Our team now includes participants from Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Michigan, forming the Midwest NPD teams and groups.

Can you give an overview of your presentation?

Jordan Melton (JM): Our presentation focused on time management and incorporated gamification elements. We explored different time management models and thinking theories to find the best fit for individuals. After a fun Survivor-like game, we combined five time management models. We also introduced a game called "Black Cloud" (adapted after seeing a presentation by Children's Mercy Kansas at the PTAP conference a few years ago) as a segue into gamification. Megan and Mandy then took over to discuss serious gaming and gamification separately.

Megan Ramirez (MR): Initially, I had a narrow understanding of gamification as using games, but it's more about incorporating game elements into the curriculum. We wanted to gamify our presentation, so we used a tropical island theme with adventure maps to track our progress. We included avatars, tropical backgrounds, imagery, and tropical music.

KH: In the beginning, we introduced the topic using an escape room style game with quests instead of objectives. We used islands on the map to represent our progress. Throughout the presentation, we incorporated gamification elements, like human interaction through breakout rooms and a Mentimeter (short survey) challenge. We aimed to make the slides creative and interactive to engage the audience.

MR: We differentiated between serious games and gamification, highlighting that serious games’ focus on learning through games, while gamification incorporates game elements for behavior change. We provided examples and discussed the need for more research on the effects of different gamification elements. We used Mentimeter, allowing participants to engage and interact with the material. Our goal was to draw the audience in and make learning more exciting.

Mandy Walter (MW): We defined serious games and gamification, presented their advantages and disadvantages, and discussed gamification elements like leaderboards and rankings. To encourage interaction, we included a Mentimeter challenge, allowing participants to compete and see their progress. We wanted to create a conversation and engagement beyond traditional PowerPoint slides.

MR: The use of breakout rooms and Mentimeter fostered human interaction, an essential gamification element. We provided realistic examples of gamification, such as departmental competitions and progress bars in online modules. We emphasized the importance of engaging learners and sparking their excitement for learning through gamification.

JM: We considered the needs of adult learners, making the content relatable and applicable to their lives. The “Black Cloud” game (which caused unexpected challenges to come up in a game that had to be addressed) and gamification elements were designed to be realistic to their job experiences. By focusing on the adult learner perspective, our presentation successfully addressed their needs.

KH: We integrated time management models with interactive activities, such as identifying thinking styles and collaborating in breakout rooms. We turned the “Black Cloud” game into a team activity with prizes for the best team name and time management solutions. We strived to make the presentation interactive and engaging.

MW: We aimed to create an environment where participants could immediately apply what they learned, filling the gap in traditional training approaches.

MR: Gamification offers the advantage of providing immediate application of learning, which is often lacking in other educational settings. It opens up opportunities for learners to experience and apply their knowledge more effectively.

What are your recommendations for other affiliates wanting to put on a collaborative event?

JM: My recommendation for affiliates wanting to put on a collaborative event is to get outside your own bubble. When you work within your own organization, you're often confined to what has already been established. Collaborating with someone from a different organization who challenges your thinking and creativity can be a game-changer. Working with Kurtis was a unique experience because he pushed the envelope and offered a different perspective. It was exciting to be challenged in new ways, and I believe that's where the biggest benefit lies in collaborating with others.

MR: My recommendation for other affiliates would be to always keep in mind the audience you're presenting to, especially when they are educators. Educators are smart, creative, and competitive individuals who want to share their own ideas and experiences. It's important to create ample space for them to engage, whether through chat, allowing them to unmute and participate in discussions, or dedicating time for breakout groups where they can network and talk about what's happening in their own organizations. Additionally, incorporating gamification elements and competition can greatly enhance the engagement level and enjoyment for educators as they learn.

KH: In the past, we used to have lectures followed by a few questions for breakout discussions. This time, we wanted to incorporate breakouts alongside time management and gamification. We found that it was a great way to get members collaborating, socializing, and talking about the topic while also giving them the opportunity to network. It was interesting to see how well it worked.

MW: From my perspective, effective communication is key. Since we were all using different systems and couldn't see each other's schedules, it required a lot of conversation and discussion to plan and coordinate our meetings. We had to figure out how to make it work across different platforms. We had to be open and vulnerable in putting ourselves forward and learning from one another. It was also a chance to get to know each other's organizations better. When you're within your own health care system, you tend to get comfortable and familiar with your own people and processes. Collaborating with others allowed us to appreciate how different organizations operate and understand their struggles and successes.

Any standout feedback that comes to mind?

JM: We received the evaluation feedback, which is overall highly positive, which was great to see. Time management, although drier than gamification—and something most adults think they have figured out—stood out to participants. It was interesting to read comments from people who were unaware of the various time management models or the extensive research behind them. Some individuals mentioned that they were already practicing certain techniques but didn't realize there was more to explore. It was rewarding to see professionals with advanced degrees and certifications seeking to enhance their time management skills. While serious gaming and gamification received praise for being unique and enjoyable, the positive feedback on the time management section was particularly encouraging.

MW: Even on the day of the event, we received many great comments and had conversations with participants. During a “bucket game,” people were negotiating, suggesting ideas like using their own buckets or repurposing them. It was like a light-bulb moment when someone brought up those suggestions, and we realized they were great ideas. It was fantastic to see active participation and support from members of our leadership team. Their involvement was appreciated and demonstrated their support for the work we were doing that day.

Out of the 63 evaluations received, 85.7% rated the overall quality of the learning session as ‘excellent,’ with the rest rating it ‘very good.’ Additionally, 85.7% strongly agreed with the statement, ‘teaching strategies were appropriate for the content presented,’ and 81% strongly agreed with the statement, ‘the session increased my knowledge on the topic.’

What takeaways will you use in your next presentation?

KH: The challenging part is figuring out how we can surpass this project. I would gladly work with these three teammates again anytime. They were truly awesome and great.

JM: It was really cool to see how our project inspired others and influenced their own presentations. In the beginning, Megan and Mandy came up with the idea to use game avatars in our PowerPoint. We incorporated avatars in different ways. Since our presentation, we've noticed our team and colleagues incorporating similar elements to enhance their own presentations. The "Black Cloud" version will be included in another time management presentation I'll be doing later this year. It's exciting to see how our project has sparked innovation and improved how others present their material. The engagement and positive feedback we received were beyond our expectations.

MW: I was a bit hesitant at first, especially since we didn't follow brand colors and had fun with avatars. I went from business casual to flip flops, and Megan even wore a shark hat. But everyone really enjoyed it. It was a nice way to end the week on a Friday morning, sipping coffee and enjoying breakfast. Jordan is doing another time management presentation and I am doing a second gamification presentation within our health system. I am struggling to not overlap the same content and ideas within a limited timeframe and not duplicate what was previously presented at MANPD.

MR: It was great to let our creativity shine and have fun, breaking away from strict brand colors and PowerPoint guidelines. We did a fantastic job of using visuals to enhance our slides with minimal text. One of my favorite slides was the one Mandy made, showing the advantages of gamification. Her Bitmoji avatar was holding balloons, and arrows popped them, causing the avatar to fall. It was a really creative visual that made an impact.

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MANPD's collaborative presentation on time management and gamification skills infused creativity, interactivity, and a tropical island theme to capture the imagination of their audience and deliver an immersive learning experience.

MANPD’s presentation serves as a reminder that by embracing collaboration and pushing the boundaries of traditional training, we can create impactful learning experiences that equip nurses with the skills they need to thrive. So, don’t be afraid to send your students to a tropical island—or another new locale on their education journey.