It's all fun and games until someone learns something": Utilizing Gamification to Appeal to Today's Students.

Engaging nursing students in large classroom settings presents a significant challenge. Educators must employ creative and innovative strategies to foster active learning while addressing students' diverse generational learning needs. The latest generation, Gen Z, has tendencies toward short attention spans, a preference for instant gratification, a need for hands-on learning, and a strong desire for engaging visually driven content. This presentation explores the use of gamification as an active learning pedagogy to enhance student engagement and participation. Various gamification techniques—including cardiac clay modeling, neurological bingo, gastrointestinal “Who’s Coming to Dinner,” and an endocrine escape room—will be discussed and their various applications to learning. Implementing gamification strategies in a traditional classroom enhances student learning outcomes and increases student satisfaction. Gamification is a valuable and effective tool for educators, helping to bridge generational learning differences while promoting active engagement and deeper understanding in the nursing classroom.