Aims: To assess digital capabilities and academic performance among nursing students and investigate the mediating role of students’ self-efficacy. Background: In the context of education and technology, digital capabilities, self-efficacy, and academic performance among nursing students are interconnected concepts. Students who use their digital capabilities and competencies combined with their belief in the ability to efficiently perform learning tasks could improve their academic endeavors. Nevertheless, insufficient consideration has been placed on research understanding of the mediating roles and broad elements that influence their relationships. Methods: A cross-sectional, correlational, descriptive, and quantitative study was established. During the 2022–23 academic year, data were gathered from 200 students. The Hayes Process Model 4 macro was employed to investigate the role of students’ self-efficacy mediating effect on the association between digital capabilities and academic performance. Results: The digital capability level and self-efficacy level were high. Additionally, the academic performance level was moderate. The mediation analysis revealed that the direct effect of digital capabilities on student performance in the presence of the mediator was significant (b = 0.0063, p = 0.022). Hence, self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between digital capabilities and student performance. Conclusion: The study emphasized the importance of improving students’ digital capabilities that enhance their confidence and self-actualization. In addition, nursing students are encouraged to improve their sense of self-efficacy throughout their tenure in college because it is a predictor of future success.

Academic stress is a prevalent issue affecting students' well-being and academic achievement in today's challenging educational environment. Furthermore, combining digital literacy and self-regulation enhances emotional intelligence, creating a holistic "digitally regulated emotional intelligence" strategy to reduce academic stress effectively. This study emphasizes the significance of developing these abilities in educational settings to prepare students for success in a complex and technology-driven world. To assess emotional intelligence and academic stress among healthcare students and investigate the mediating role of students’ digital literacy and self-regulation. A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine correlations and describe quantitative data. Data on two hundred forty students were collected from Fatima College of Health Sciences in the 2023–24 academic year. Pearson's correlation coefficient was applied to assess the associations between variables, and univariate linear regression was employed to investigate the connections between emotional intelligence and pertinent variables. The Hayes Process Model 4 macro was used to study how students' digital literacy and self-regulation mediate the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic stress. Emotional intelligence, digital literacy, and self-regulation were high. Furthermore, the academic stress level was moderate. The mediation analysis revealed that the direct effect of emotional intelligence on academic stress in the presence of the mediators was significant (t = 3.830, p < 0.001). Hence, digital literacy partially mediated the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic stress. On the other hand, self-regulation had no mediation effect on the relationship above. The study noted significant connections between study attributes, mainly showing the substantial relationship between emotional intelligence and academic stress. Higher emotional intelligence did not consistently reduce stress levels for moderately stressed students, suggesting that other factors may influence their stress levels. Furthermore, digital literacy mediated between emotional intelligence and academic stress, implying that proficient use of online resources could help reduce stress in students with advanced digital skills. Finally, self-regulation did not act as a mediator in the relationship between emotional intelligence and academic stress.

The influence of technology on education is evident. Nonetheless, its impact on students’ well-being and functioning remains an essential research topic. This study examined how digital cognitive load mediated the relationship between healthcare students’ well-being and their use of multiple educational technology platforms. A descriptive, correlational cross-sectional methodology was employed to conveniently choose a sample of 160 healthcare students from seven departments within the college. Self-administered questionnaires functioned as the principal instruments for data collection. The subsequent data analysis incorporated both descriptive and inferential methods. The Amos software was utilized to examine the mediation model. A statistically significant negative correlation was identified between students’ scores across multiple educational technology platforms and their digital cognitive load and well-being, respectively, at (r = − 0.546, p = 0.000) and (r = − 0.61, p = 0.000). Multiple educational technology platforms positively correlated with digital cognitive load scores (r = 0.635, p = 0.000). According to the regression analysis, students’ digital cognitive load could predict their well-being (F (1, 158) = 53.32, p <.001, adj. R2 = 0.404). The mediation analysis indicated a substantial direct effect of emotional intelligence on academic stress when the mediator was present (β = − 0.4, SE = 0.037, Z = − 10.81, p =.000). Learning institutions must evaluate the number of platforms used. Excessive platform utilization can adversely affect well-being and elevate cognitive stress. Training courses on appropriate technology utilization can enhance students’ confidence and engagement with the platforms, alleviating the mental burden.

Gamification has emerged as a transformative approach in nursing education, especially within simulation-based learning environments. It is recognized for enhancing student engagement, knowledge retention, and confidence. Despite its potential, limited research has explored the perceptions and confidence of nurse educators and students, as well as the challenges encountered during its implementation. The study aimed to assess the perceptions and confidence of nurse educators and nursing students towards integrating gamification into simulation-based nursing education, identify implementation barriers, and develop and validate two psychometric tools: the Gamification Perception Assessment Tool and the Nurse Educator Confidence Tool. A convergent mixed-methods design was utilized, involving 115 nurse educators and 317 nursing students from eight nursing institutions in Cairo. Quantitative data were collected using the newly developed tools, which underwent rigorous validation through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and reliability testing. Qualitative data were collected via semi-structured questionnaires and interviews with nurse educators and analyzed thematically to explore implementation challenges. The overall mean perception score was 34.8 ± 8.4 for nursing students and 36.3 ± 7.9 for nurse educators, with the majority of participants in both groups showing a high perception level (61.7% for educators and 58.9% for students). Nurse educators displayed moderate to high confidence, which was significantly influenced by their experience and prior training. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.711, p = 0.001) was found between perception and confidence. The psychometric tools demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach’s α = 0.68–0.85) and model fit. Thematic analysis revealed barriers such as institutional policy gaps, limited IT support, and lack of training. Gamification is positively perceived and fosters educator confidence in simulation-based nursing education. However, successful implementation requires institutional support, faculty training, and standardized evaluation tools to overcome existing challenges and optimize educational outcomes. The study provides validated tools and empirical insights into gamification in nursing education. Not applicable.

Background: A skilled and experienced preceptor enhances nursing candidates’ education. Students can acquire invaluable insights by observing and learning from the preceptor's professional nursing practice. Organizations must furnish sufficient support to guarantee the efficacy of preceptors in their responsibilities. Objective: To evaluate preceptors’ perceptions of the preceptorship and the relationship between organizational support and preceptor perspective of preceptorship. Methods: A cross-sectional correlational design was deployed using purposive sampling of 90 nurses in the UAE. Between August 2023 and December 2023, a self-reported questionnaire with 40 items on preceptor perspectives of preceptorship (PPP) was distributed to nurses. The student's t-test, Chi-square, Monte Carlo, Fisher Exact, and Pearson coefficient were used. Results: The results revealed that most participants were female (71.1%), with 48.9% between 36 and 45 years old. The mean score for the PPP was high (73.81 ± 10.92). There was a significant association between age, years of nursing experience, work area, and overall PPP. A strong correlation was found between self-preparation ( r = .675), preceptorship perception commitment ( r = .762), and the benefits of preceptorship ( r = .830), along with organizational support. Conclusion: The preceptors in this study had a positive perspective about preceptorship. Their acknowledgment of preceptorship's benefits to the organization shows their optimism and dedication. Future studies should analyze preceptor training programs and devise initiatives to improve clinical teaching.

With the growing reliance on digital platforms in education, nursing students face increasing exposure to screen time and academic pressures. Despite existing research, region-specific studies on how digital burnout predicts psychological health in UAE nursing students are limited. The study aimed to assess the correlation between digital burnout and nursing students' general psychological health and identify variables that predict both. This study employed quantitative methods, utilizing correlational and descriptive approaches. The study was conducted during the 2024-2025 academic year and involved a sample of 140 nursing students. Statistical testing encompassed descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multiple regression analysis. The level of digital burnout was high, and general psychological health was moderate. The correlation analysis revealed a positive and significant correlation between students' overall digital burnout scale scores and overall health scores (r = 0.71, p < 0.001). A multivariate regression study identified significant determinants of digital burnout and general psychological health among students. Younger students, those enrolled in over five classes, and nursing students exhibited elevated symptoms of digital burnout. Conversely, the academic level showed no substantial impact. Additionally, digital burnout was a major predictor of poor general psychological health, but other demographic and academic variables were not substantial. This study demonstrates that digital burnout, primarily induced by academic pressures, considerably affects the mental and physical well-being of nursing students. Specific institutional strategies such as fostering digital well-being, modifying course loads, and augmenting mental health support are crucial for safeguarding student wellness and cultivating resilient future nursing professionals. Not applicable.