The effectiveness of VR combined with aging simulation training on junior nurses' geriatric care competency: A...

This study aimed to implement and evaluate the effects of a virtual reality combined aging simulation training program on the geriatric nursing competency, practical skills, theoretical knowledge, attitudes toward older adults, caring ability and empathy among junior nurses in a tertiary hospital in China.

Global aging requires specialized geriatric care and corresponding competencies in junior nurses. However, professional training predominantly ends at pre-service education, disconnecting theoretical preparation from the evolving complexities of modern aged care practice.

Randomized Controlled Trial.

In a single-blind randomized controlled trial, 120 junior nurses were assigned to either an experimental group that received virtual reality and geriatric simulation suit training, or a control group that received conventional training. Geriatric care competency, empathy, attitudes, knowledge and procedural skills were assessed at baseline and following the intervention. Inter-group comparisons of baseline characteristics and outcome measures were performed using independent samples t-tests Mann-Whitney U tests and Chi-square tests.

The intervention group showed significant improvements in geriatric nursing competence (r = 0.80), theoretical knowledge (d=1.45) and practical skills (d=0.98). Significant enhancements were also found in caring ability (d=0.55), empathy (d=0.50) and attitudes toward older adults (d=0.89). All between-group comparisons significantly favored the intervention group (p < 0.05).

Virtual reality combined with aging simulation training effectively improves geriatric nursing competence, empathy and attitudes toward older people. This integrated approach represents a promising educational strategy for enhancing geriatric nursing professional development and can be applied in clinical training for junior nurses in geriatric care.