Transforming Nursing Education: Developing Augmented Reality Procedural Training.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Medical Simulation
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Nursing education faces challenges with faculty shortages and limited clinical placements.
• Bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills is crucial for advanced nursing procedures.
• Innovative training solutions are needed to enhance procedural development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility and acceptance of augmented reality (AR) for training graduate nursing students in advanced procedures.
• To evaluate the usability, engagement, and effectiveness of Microsoft HoloLens2 and Dynamics 365 Guides for procedural training.
• To compare faculty time required for AR-based training versus traditional methods.

Main Methods:

• A feasibility study involving 24 nurse practitioner students.
• Utilized augmented reality (AR) with Microsoft HoloLens2 and Dynamics 365 Guides for lumbar puncture training.
• Assessed participant experience using the System Usability Scale, Acceptability Scale, and Engagement Scale.

Main Results:

• High feasibility and acceptance of AR technology for procedural training were reported.
• Participants found the HoloLens2 easy to use and trusted its functionality.
• Students reported high engagement, finding the AR experience helpful, motivating, and satisfactory.
• Faculty time was significantly reduced compared to traditional training methods.

Conclusions:

• Augmented reality (AR) presents a viable and efficient modality for nursing education.
• AR technology can enhance procedural development and overcome limitations of clinical site scarcity.
• The findings support integrating AR for immersive, self-paced learning experiences in nursing pedagogy.