The Effectiveness of 360-Degree Virtual Reality-Based Mechanical Ventilation Nursing Education for ICU Nurses

Background/Objectives: Mechanical ventilation management is a critical competency for intensive care unit (ICU) nurses; however, traditional training methods are often insufficient to prepare nurses for the complexities of alarm management and clinical decision-making. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a 360-degree virtual reality (VR)-based mechanical ventilation nursing education program for ICU nurses in Korea. Methods: A quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design was employed with 65 ICU nurses (32 in the experimental group and 33 in the control group). Data were collected from May to October 2023. The VR-based program, developed using the ADDIE instructional design model, incorporated simulation-based scenarios focusing on ventilator alarm management and clinical reasoning. Outcome measures included knowledge of ventilation nursing, self-efficacy, clinical reasoning, learning immersion, turnover intention, and educational satisfaction. Data were analyzed using normality tests, descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and paired t-tests. Results: The experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in knowledge (Δ = 5.54), self-efficacy (Δ = 0.94), clinical reasoning (Δ = 0.76), and learning immersion (Δ = 0.88) compared to the control group (all p < 0.001), where Δ denotes the change score (post-test minus pre-test). Post-test assessments were conducted immediately after the intervention. Educational satisfaction was also significantly higher in the experimental group (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed in turnover intention between the groups, suggesting a limited short-term impact on this outcome. Conclusions: A 360-degree VR-based education program effectively enhanced key competencies among ICU nurses. While these findings reflect short-term outcomes, future research is warranted to assess the long-term effects and sustainability of VR-based learning in ICU continuing education.