Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41963630›Full record

SynthesisNursing open2026

Digital Strategies Utilised to Encourage Undergraduate Nursing Students' Engagement in Online Units of Study Throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review.

Chanchal Kurup, Abigail Ford, Penny Heidke

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Nursing open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Chanchal KurupSchool of Nursing and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0526-2539
Abigail FordSchool of Nursing and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8449-376X
Penny HeidkeSchool of Nursing and Social Sciences, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8991-6570

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimThis systematic review provides an overview of digital strategies utilised to encourage undergraduate nursing students' engagement in online units of study throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

backgroundIn nursing education, engagement was crucial in acquiring knowledge, skills, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The COVID-19 pandemic forced schools and universities worldwide to quickly adapt from face-to-face learning to online platforms. While online teaching and digital technologies in education were not new, the urgency to create effective online learning opportunities that meet curriculum needs and maintain student engagement was particularly challenging for teaching staff and students.

designREVIEW

methodsThe databases used were Embase, CINAHL, EMCARE, ERIC and BASE. The review was limited to English and literature published between January 2020 and September 2022 to capture the studies published around the COVID-19 lockdown. Three researchers independently completed the study selection, quality assessment and data extraction. Any discrepancies were resolved in a consensus-building conversation.

resultsMultiple strategies, such as simulations, gamification and telehealth role-playing, effectively enhanced nursing students' online engagement during COVID-19. Instructor expertise, student-centred approaches and reliable infrastructure emerged as pivotal.

conclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift to online nursing education, highlighting the need for innovative strategies to sustain student engagement. Identifying the most effective pedagogical approaches, such as virtual simulations, gamification and experiential learning, will support future online learning. Integrating emerging technologies and student-centred teaching methods will be crucial in preparing nursing students for clinical practice in a post-pandemic world.

Indexed as

COVID-19Education, DistanceEducation, Nursing, BaccalaureatePandemicsStudents, NursingCurriculumDigital MediaHumansSARS-CoV-2COVID‐19 pandemiccurriculum needsdigital strategiesonline teachingstudent engagementundergraduate nursing students

Identifiers

PMID41963630
PMCPMC13068506

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.