Fun Critical Thinking and Active Learning Activities for Nursing Students

One goal is at the heart of every nursing program in the world: preparing students to deliver safe, effective, and compassionate patient care. That means more than memorizing facts; it requires helping nurse learners develop sharp clinical judgment, confident communication, and the ability to think critically under pressure.

That’s where active learning comes in. When students are given opportunities to practice decision-making, collaborate with peers, and reflect on their choices, they stay engaged and build the habits that lead to better care. 

And it works. In a 2023 study, 62.5% of nursing students showed improved critical thinking after structured simulation and debriefing.

Here are seven fun, high-impact simulation activities that help students feel more prepared at the bedside.

7 Fun Critical Thinking & Active Learning Activities for Nursing Students

1. Escape Room Simulations 

Solving patient scenarios in escape rooms mimics the high-pressure environment nurses face on the floor without any risk to patient safety. A recent study found that escape room simulations are a proven method for enhancing clinical judgment skills, helping students translate theory into practice more confidently.

One example is a post-operative patient scenario where students must recognize early signs of respiratory distress. They work together to assess vital signs, interpret symptoms, communicate with the healthcare team, and implement interventions. They must “escape the room” by caring for the patient all within a set time limit. 

2. Ethical Dilemma Discussions (“What Would You Do?”)

Being a nurse inevitably requires facing ethical dilemmas, which require critical thinking to make those in-the-moment calls. Examples are a patient rejecting end-of-life care or religious beliefs that go against the doctor’s orders. Having an open and honest discussion with nurse learners about what they should do in these situations is a great way to get their gears turning and promote critical thinking.

Ethical dilemmas are also a helpful avenue to deconstruct bias and stereotypes, leading to cultural competence and humility, which are absolute necessities for nurses. 

3. SBAR Roleplay

Role-playing might sound cheesy to some learners, but it is great practice, especially for SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation). This communication tool helps nurses organize their thoughts quickly and clearly so the whole care team stays on the same page.

In SBAR roleplay, students take turns being the nurse giving a patient report and the teammate receiving it, sometimes with a surprise twist thrown in, like a sudden change in the patient’s condition. It’s a fun, low-pressure way to practice speaking up, thinking fast, and making sure nothing important gets lost in translation. Plus, it builds the confidence nurses need to handle real shift handoffs like pros.

4. VR Simulation

The moment students slip on a VR headset, they’re no longer in the classroom—they’re at the bedside. VR simulation immerses learners in realistic, high-pressure clinical scenarios where they can safely practice critical thinking, communication, and clinical skills.

A 2024 meta-analysis reported that virtual reality simulations significantly improve nursing students’ communication skills, confidence, and satisfaction through immersive and interactive scenarios. 

Here are some specific examples from UbiSim, the platform where Nursing Gets Real:

• In the End-of-Life Care scenario, learners support a 78-year-old patient in terminal decline. The challenge is as emotional as it is clinical: conducting focused assessments, delivering family education, and communicating with compassion during a deeply vulnerable time.
• In the ADHD Patient scenario, learners care for a 10-year-old in the ED struggling with impulsivity and focus. They must assess behavior, adapt communication, ensure safety, and engage the caregiver in care planning, sharpening both empathy and clinical precision.

UbiSim’s no-code Intuitive Editor allows educators to customize each scenario to course objectives or skill focus, aligning every session with learning objectives and helping that learning stick.

5. Medication Match Game

Learning about medications can sometimes feel overwhelming, but a Medication Match Game makes it a bit more fun and way more memorable. Students get cards with drug names and have to match them with the conditions they treat, possible side effects, and any special patient risks. It’s a hands-on way to connect the dots between the drug and real-world patient care.

For example, a student might have “Warfarin” and need to pair it with “blood thinner,” “watch for bleeding,” and “regular blood tests.” Playing this game not only helps students remember important details but also sparks conversations about why these meds matter (and what to watch out for) when they’re caring for patients.

6. Diagnostic Detective

It starts with a puzzle: vague symptoms, scattered vital signs, and a handful of lab results. In this activity, students play the role of clinical detectives, piecing together patient data to uncover the correct diagnosis. Is it pneumonia or heart failure? Hypoglycemia or sepsis? Learners must ask the right questions, identify red flags, and think critically about what fits—and what doesn’t.

You can up the stakes by adding a timer, a simulated consult call, or a plot twist mid-case (like a change in condition). It’s an engaging way to sharpen diagnostic reasoning, reinforce classroom knowledge, and get students comfortable with clinical uncertainty, all before they set foot in a hospital.

7. Rapid-Fire Report Handoff 

The shift is ending, and it's time to pass the baton—but just as the student begins their patient report, a curveball hits: the patient’s blood pressure drops fast, or a family member demands to speak to the nurse immediately. In this fast-paced activity, students take turns delivering and receiving SBAR-style handoffs while managing real-time interruptions and unexpected updates.

It’s designed to mirror the chaos of real clinical environments, where nurses must think on their feet, communicate clearly under pressure, and prioritize what matters most. Whether it's a night shift handoff or a code-blue moment mid-report, this activity builds confidence, hones critical thinking, and helps future nurses stay calm when things get hectic.

Final Thoughts

Nursing students thrive with learning experiences that reflect the complexity (and the humanity) of the work they’re preparing to do. Active learning strategies like simulations, games, and roleplay don’t just make lessons more memorable; they create space for reflection, decision-making, and growth.

These activities build the muscle of clinical judgment in a way that passive learning simply can’t. They invite students to ask questions, make choices, and see the impact of their actions in a safe, supportive environment. And they offer educators fresh ways to connect the dots between theory and practice.

Bring curiosity into the classroom. Make space for exploration. And lean into learning moments that feel real.

Want more ideas like these? Take a closer look at how UbiSim brings immersive, scenario-based learning into nursing education—with zero risk and real impact.