Mapping the Digital Future of Nursing Education: A Bibliometric Analysis of Gamification and Virtual Reality (2015–2025)

This study is a bibliometric analysis aimed at visualizing the global research landscape of gamification and virtual reality (VR) in nursing education. Data Source: Web of Science Core Collection. Time Span: 2015–2025. Sample Size: 1,316 articles and reviews. Methodology: Using VOSviewer software, this study conducts co-occurrence analysis of keywords and overlay visualization to identify research hotspots, intellectual structures, and emerging trends. Key Objectives: To provide a visual guide for nurse educators and policymakers on integrating immersive technologies (e.g., VR, AR, AI) into nursing curricula, specifically addressing the theory-practice gap in clinical skills training.