From empty evidence to implementation: A systematic search and a pragmatic package to increase nursing students’ participation in international scientific conferences

Background International scientific conferences expose nursing students to current evidence, professional identity formation, and global networks, yet participation remains low. We conducted an empty systematic review of evaluated interventions to increase participation and, informed by adjacent evidence and theory, propose a low-cost, curriculum-embedded, student-led bundle. Methods Following PRISMA 2020, we searched PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and gray literature (ICN proceedings, nursing society websites, theses/dissertations) for English/Japanese records from January 2005 to 31 May 2025. Two reviewers screened independently. Eligible studies targeted pre-licensure nursing students and evaluated strategies with objective participation outcomes (abstract submission, registration, attendance, presentation). Conference abstracts and non-evaluative reports were noted as contextual sources but not included. Results No eligible evaluation studies were identified (n = 0). Common exclusions were ineligible populations, focus on study abroad or clinical placements rather than conferences, and outcomes limited to attitudes or intentions. Contextual gray sources described late or fragmented information, English anxiety, limited peer support, and financial burden as barriers. Discussion The empty finding highlights an actionable evaluation gap. Drawing on diffusion and behavior theory, implementation science, and work on language anxiety and peer support, we outline a minimal package—early automated bilingual announcements; five-session micro–English-for-conference workshops; structured, student-led peer mentorship; and a consolidated micro-grants/fee-waivers page—paired with pragmatic KPIs and PDSA cycles. Conclusions These scalable, low-cost components can be implemented now and tracked with routine data. Together, they offer a practical, low-resource approach that programs can adopt and refine to improve undergraduate nursing students’ participation in international conferences.