Code Cracked: Using Artificial Intelligence to Transform Nursing Case Studies Into Virtual Escape Rooms

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming nursing education by offering innovative strategies to support clinical judgment, engagement, and competency development. METHOD: This project integrated an AI platform to generate escape-room prompts and NCLEX-style questions that were embedded into virtual unfolding case studies for undergraduate nursing students. The AI-generated scenarios included evidence-based clinical challenges and branching decision-making pathways, which were customized by faculty and incorporated into the gamified virtual environment. RESULTS: Preliminary findings showed increased student engagement, perceived knowledge retention, and strengthened collaboration skills based on faculty observation, student feedback, and cohort-level examination performance comparisons across academic terms. CONCLUSION: AI-enhanced virtual escape rooms represent a promising, faculty-guided instructional strategy that enriches unfolding case-based learning while supporting the development of clinical judgment, teamwork, and communication in undergraduate nursing education.