Escape Room Training Turns Nursing Education Into an Adventure
How an Escape Room is Transforming Hospital Education at HNL Lab Medicine
Hospital training doesn’t have to be dull. At HNL Lab Medicine, our Clinical Hospital Advisors are proving just that by bringing creativity and fun into education.
Their latest innovation? An escape room–style training game designed to strengthen collaboration between the lab and nursing teams.
Learning Through Play
The escape room experience begins with a common scenario: how to avoid getting that dreaded phone call from the lab about a rejected sample. From there, nurses move through puzzles and challenges rooted in real-world practice. Each activity covers essential topics such as:
- Selecting properly filled blood culture bottles
- Answering type & screen questions
- Identifying best practices to prevent clotted or hemolyzed samples
- Ordering laboratory tubes correctly
Every correct answer unlocks the next stage, eventually leading to a prize.
Why an Escape Room?
Unlike a typical training session, this activity takes less than 10 minutes per nurse, but it delivers far more engagement. Nurses are encouraged to problem-solve, spark conversation with colleagues, and reinforce key lessons in a memorable way.
“We designed the escape room format because it mirrors how nurses work in real life, solving problems under time pressure, thinking critically, and collaborating with each other,” explained said Shelbi Taylor, Manager, Clinical Advisors with HNL Lab Medicine. “It’s a fun way to reinforce best practices while keeping education practical and engaging.”
Positive Feedback from Nurses
Nurses have embraced the program, appreciating the chance to learn in a fresh, interactive format. Instead of passively listening, they get hands-on practice that connects directly to their daily work.
“By turning training into a hands-on game, we’re not only making learning fun, but also strengthening the important relationship between nursing teams and the lab,” added Jen Nemes, Clinical Hospital Advisor for HNL Lab Medicine.
What’s Next?
Given the enthusiastic response, HNL Lab Medicine is planning more creative learning initiatives for our health system partners, helping them deliver the highest quality care while keeping staff engaged and supported.
Our Commitment
At HNL Lab Medicine, we believe education should inspire teamwork and strengthen quality care. Whether it’s through innovative training, accurate lab testing, or collaborative support, we’re committed to helping hospitals, physicians, and patients succeed. Learn more about how HNL Lab Medicine supports hospitals and healthcare teams at hnl.com.