Employing a serious game intervention to promote adolescent school children’s perceptions of nursing and midwifery professions

• DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02045-1
• Publication Date: 2024-06-03T04:01:28Z
• Authors: Gary Mitchell; Debbie Rainey; Maria Healy; Tara Anderson; Patrick Stark; Felicity Agwu Kalu; Catherine Monaghan; Mark A Linden
• Keywords: CLARITY; Nursing management

Abstract Aim To test a serious game intervention about nursing and midwifery perceptions among adolescent school children. Background Nursing professions face challenges in recruitment, with persistent gender stereotypes lack of clarity regarding the roles contributing to this issue. This study addresses need for innovative approaches reshape encourage career exploration Design Employing pre/post-test design, involved 137 post-primary students aged sixteen or seventeen United Kingdom. Methods Data collection occurred between November 2022 April 2023, involving three schools. Participants engaged digital designed address misconceptions promote more accurate understanding midwifery. completed pre- post-intervention questionnaires, including an adapted version as Career Choice Questionnaire. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, paired t-tests, independent groups t-tests. Results The resulted statistically significant improvements students’ across multiple domains. Overall, participants showed higher mean post-test scores (M = 139.57, SD 15.10) compared their pre-test score 131.06, 14.73) on questionnaire. domains self-efficacy ( p < .001), job prospects .001) social influences exhibited most substantial positive changes. Female than males post-tests from all-girls schools consistently scored those all-boys mixed-gender Conclusions A appears be capable changing related professions. suggests that may have potential change which lead considering these when making future choices.