Mobile Learning in Nursing Education

Mobile learning, or mLearning, has emerged as a pivotal strategy in nursing education, harnessing the ubiquity of smartphones, tablets and other portable devices to deliver tailored instructional content and support clinical decision making. By integrating multimedia resources, virtual patient simulations and interactive quizzes into mobile platforms, educators can bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. This approach promotes just-in-time learning, enabling students to access evidence-based protocols at the point of care, reinforce procedural skills and engage in reflective activities in real-world settings. In addition to fostering autonomy and self-directed study, mobile learning supports collaborative discussion through chat groups and peer feedback, thereby cultivating a community of practice that transcends geographical boundaries. The rapid evolution of digital pedagogies has also prompted institutions to develop robust infrastructures, establish clear guidelines on device use in clinical environments and train faculty to curate and evaluate educational apps. Collectively, these efforts underscore the global significance of mobile learning in shaping competent, adaptable nurses who can respond swiftly to emerging healthcare challenges.

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Mobile Learning in Nursing Education publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in mobile learning in nursing education across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Mobile learning (mLearning): Delivery of educational content and activities via portable digital devices, enabling context-aware and on-demand learning.

Self-efficacy: An individual’s belief in their capacity to perform specific tasks successfully, influencing motivation and skill acquisition.

Virtual patient simulation: Interactive computer-based scenarios that mimic real clinical cases, allowing learners to practise assessment and decision making.

Point-of-care application: Software tools designed to provide immediate access to clinical guidelines, calculators and resources at the bedside.

References

1. The effect of educational application in nursing internship clinical training on cognitive and functional skills and students’ satisfaction. BMC Nursing (2024).
2. Technology-Supported Guidance Models to Stimulate Nursing Students’ Self-Efficacy in Clinical Practice: Scoping Review. JMIR Nursing (2024).
3. Configuration of Mobile Learning Tools to Support Basic Physical Assessment in Nursing Education: Longitudinal Participatory Design Approach. JMIR mHealth and uHealth (2021).