Introduction to Virtual Reality in Nursing Education
Purdue University School of Nursing is taking a big step forward in nursing education by incorporating virtual reality (VR) technology into its curriculum. This progressive approach goals to raised prepare nursing students for the challenges of the career by immersing them in realistic hospital environments and scenarios.
The VR Experience
Students within the NUR 42001 (Transition to Professional Nursing Practice) course will use Oculus headsets to take part in five different VR scenarios throughout the semester. These scenarios will increase in complexity, simulating the experience of caring for multiple patients with various medical conditions. The goal is to make the transition to the nursing career smoother and more practical.
Benefits of VR in Nursing Education
According to Ann Loomis, clinical associate professor of nursing, traditional simulations could be limited of their ability to organize students for the complexities of real-world nursing. "It could be very hard to take a novice nurse, throw them into caring for multiple patients, and just say ‘Here, determine who you’re going to see first and why,’" Loomis said. The VR technology offers a more immersive and realistic experience, allowing students to develop critical pondering and decision-making skills in a protected and controlled environment.
Research Collaboration
The University of Minnesota’s School of Nursing is leading the research collaboration, with Purdue University School of Nursing as considered one of the participating institutions. The study, funded by the American Nurses Foundation, goals to check the implementation of VR simulations in nursing curriculum. Cynthia Bradley, primary investigator of the VR research and assistant professor of nursing on the University of Minnesota, selected Purdue as a consequence of its status and size. The research team plans to make the VR technology available to other colleges and universities in the long run.
Preparing Nurses for Practice
The implementation of VR technology might be only the start of latest approaches to nursing education. The College of Health and Human Sciences at Purdue University is committed to progressive research projects that improve nursing practice and education. Marion K. Underwood, dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences, noted that the School of Nursing is well-positioned to remain on the innovative of innovation as a consequence of its interdisciplinary approach.
Real-World Applications
Loomis began testing the VR headsets with senior nursing student volunteers within the spring and reported positive results. One student who participated within the VR scenarios aced a component of the state board exam that was much like considered one of the VR scenarios. This anecdotal evidence suggests that the VR technology can have a big impact on student learning outcomes.
Addressing Nurse Attrition
The research team hopes to handle the high rate of nurse attrition by higher preparing students for the challenges of the career. By introducing students to complex and realistic scenarios, the VR technology will help them develop the talents and confidence they need to reach their careers. The researchers will measure the effectiveness of the VR technology by comparing student evaluations and competencies with traditional simulations.
Conclusion
The incorporation of VR technology into nursing education has the potential to revolutionize the way in which nursing students are prepared for practice. By providing a more immersive and realistic experience, VR will help students develop critical pondering and decision-making skills, reduce nurse attrition, and improve patient care. As Loomis noted, "Knowing the value of this technology and the takeaways these students are going to have — the worth behind this is big." The way forward for nursing education is more likely to be shaped by progressive technologies like VR, and Purdue University School of Nursing is on the forefront of this movement.
