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Early Development of Clinical Reasoning Through Virtual Patient Simulation: Nursing Students' Perceptions of
Leila Sales1,2, Maria Ferreira1, Raquel Pereira1,2
1Portuguese Red Cross Higher School of Health, 1300-125 Lisbon, Portugal.
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy)
|May 26, 2026
Summary
Virtual patient simulation enhances early clinical reasoning and decision-making in nursing students. This learning strategy fosters collaboration and integrates theory with practice in safe environments.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Simulation
- Clinical Reasoning Development
Background:
- Simulation is vital for nursing education, developing clinical competencies in safe settings.
- Understanding virtual patient simulation's role in early clinical reasoning is limited.
- Exploring nursing students' perspectives on virtual simulation is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate first-year undergraduate nursing students' perceptions.
- To explore the development of clinical reasoning and collaborative decision-making.
- To understand the impact of virtual patient simulation on novice nurses.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory research design.
- Semi-structured focus groups with 73 first-year nursing students.
- Thematic content analysis using Bardin's approach.
Main Results:
- Students view virtual patient simulation as impactful, highlighting realism, interactivity, and collaboration.
- Simulation enhanced theoretical knowledge integration, prioritization, and structured clinical reasoning.
- Collaboration fostered reflection and problem-solving; feedback enabled error-based learning, boosting confidence.
Conclusions:
- Group virtual simulation aids early clinical reasoning, promoting reflective and collaborative practice.
- Effective integration requires intentional curriculum design, pedagogical alignment, and guided reflection.
- Findings offer insights into novice learners' sense-making of clinical reasoning in simulated contexts.
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