Benefits and Barriers of Using Virtual Reality in Teaching Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Scoping Review

Although studies have been conducted using virtual reality (VR) in nursing education, evidence distinguishing the benefits and barriers of adopting VR pedagogical methods to teach undergraduate nursing students is not well-defined in nursing literature.

To identify current evidence on the benefits and barriers of adopting VR as a pedagogical method in nursing education.

A scoping review of 6 databases using PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Data were managed using Covidence® software. Table of Evidence illustrates the themes.

Seventeen articles identified 5 thematic benefits of VR (knowledge acquisition, student engagement, improved self-confidence, teaching strategy, and cost factors) and 4 barriers (physical discomfort, learning outcome challenges, challenges to integrating into curricula, and technology challenges).

VR is an effective teaching-learning strategy to reinforce nursing concepts and build competencies. It is not a substitute for clinical education.