Positive Outcomes of Rapid Freeware Implementation to Replace Baccalaureate Student Clinical Experiences

Loss of in-person clinical experiences due to the COVID-19 pandemic created the need for a rapid transition to online clinical education using virtual simulation, which has been shown to be an effective teaching-learning method. Standards of best practice for simulation provide a framework for implementation.

Using free online simulation programs, 15 faculty members offered 3-hour synchronous sessions covering 20 different topics via an online meeting platform to 42 senior nursing students. Students were invited to complete an evaluation following each session.

Students collectively logged over 1,200 hours of simulation time attending approximately 100 sessions. Postsimulation evaluations captured students' responses to sessions. Students appreciated the opportunity to review content covered in previous semesters and engaged most when simulations followed a consistent structure, were interactive, and contained visually engaging materials.

Resourceful faculty responded quickly and creatively to the urgent need to transition to online clinical learning and created positive experiences for students. [J Nurs Educ. 2020;59(12):701-704.].