Curricular Integration of Virtual Reality in Nursing Education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Medical Simulation
• Virtual Reality Technology

Background:

• A competent nursing workforce requires diverse training strategies.
• Traditional methods may not fully meet the demands of modern healthcare training.
• Innovative educational tools are essential for skill development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate an interactive virtual reality (VR) platform as an immersive learning environment.
• To assess the usability of the VR platform based on best practices.
• To understand learners' perceptions of the VR educational experience.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative cross-sectional study design.
• Utilized System Usability Scale (SUS)® for usability assessment.
• Employed Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M) for experience evaluation.

Main Results:

• 127 prelicensure and 28 advanced practice students participated.
• Students reported the VR system was easy to navigate (SUS scale).
• Learners perceived the VR experience positively (SET-M).

Conclusions:

• Interactive VR platforms can provide valuable immersive learning experiences.
• Effective VR learning requires a defined curriculum and facilitated debriefing.
• This technology has the potential to positively impact student learning and patient care.