Simulation in gerontological nursing education: A global bibliometric analysis

Background As older adults live longer and require greater healthcare support, research on simulation-based learning in gerontological practice has highlighted its growing significance in nursing education. Aim To analyze scientific literature on the use of simulation in gerontological nursing education through bibliometric overview. Methods A bibliometric study approach followed a five-stage methodological framework: (1) research design, (2) compilation of bibliometric data, (3) analysis, (4) visualization, and (5) interpretation. We searched the ISI Web of Science database, CINAHL (EBSCOhost), and Medline (Ovid) to identify relevant articles, which were then screened independently by two reviewers. The sample was exported to the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet editor for descriptive analysis, followed by bibliometric analysis in VOSviewer version 1.6.19. Results A total of 2115 records were identified, of which 48 met the inclusion criteria and comprised the final sample. The included studies were published between 2010 and 2024. The majority of the studies originated from the United States. A general increase in publication volume was observed during the 2022–2023 period. The bibliometric analysis identified 11 distinct clusters. Conclusion Simulation-mediated teaching is increasingly adopted in gerontological nursing education yet advancing simulation strategies and reducing geographic research gaps remain essential.