Student's Perception of vSim for Nursing® using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Health Professions Education
• Simulation in Healthcare

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the use of virtual simulation to substitute traditional clinical hours in nursing programs.
• This pilot study investigated the effectiveness and student preparedness for virtual simulation as a clinical replacement.
• It included undergraduate pre-licensure and accelerated second-degree nursing students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the perceived effectiveness of vSim for Nursing® as a replacement for clinical experiences.
• To assess student preparedness for virtual simulation learning environments.
• To explore student feedback on the virtual simulation experience.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach utilizing quantitative and qualitative data.
• Quantitative data collected using the Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M).
• Qualitative data gathered through open-ended feedback from students.

Main Results:

• Students reported high agreement on the efficacy of vSim for learning (50%-79.7%).
• A majority of students found their preparation for virtual simulation highly effective (67.8%-77.1%).
• Qualitative feedback emphasized the crucial role of the clinical nurse educator in the simulation experience.

Conclusions:

• Virtual simulation, specifically vSim for Nursing®, is perceived as an effective tool for replacing clinical practice.
• Students felt adequately prepared to achieve learning outcomes using virtual simulation.
• Effective debriefing is essential for all simulation modalities, including virtual ones.