Abstract

Background: Virtual simulation is being trialed in schools of nursing with limited evidence about its impact on student learning outcomes.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore pre-licensure students' learning outcomes and perceptions of using vSim for Nursing™.

Methods: Ninety-nine pre-licensure students performed virtual simulations with a patient suffering anaphylaxis and a patient suffering cardiac arrest. Students provided feedback through surveys after the simulations. The study employed a mixed methods design using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

Results: Quantitative data suggested that the majority of students found the content relevant (89%) and would recommend the virtual simulation for future use (78%). Qualitative data revealed three themes of learning outcomes: 1) Assessment, 2) Prioritization, and 3) Emergency Management. The most common interventions students indicated performing were medication administration (52%) and respiratory interventions (44%). Students felt virtual simulation would be best used in the curriculum as clinical makeup for missed hours (51%) and enhancing lecture (29%).

Conclusions: Nurse educators should consider what learning outcomes virtual simulation fosters and strategically place the exercises within the curriculum. Aligning the application of virtual simulation with student learning preferences may enhance the learning experience.

Author Details

Cynthia Foronda, PHD, RN, CNE, CHSE, ANEF; Sandra Swoboda, RN, MS, FCCM; Nancy Sullivan, DNP, RN; Emma Kamau, MSN, CVRN, BS; Krysia Hudson, DNP, RN, BC

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Lead Author Affiliation

International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL)

Type

Presentation

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

N/A

Research Approach

N/A

Keywords:

Virtual Simulation, Learning Outcomes

Conference Name

INACSL Conference

Conference Host

International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL)

Conference Location

Washington, D.C., USA

Conference Year

2017

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.

All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository.

All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

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Student learning outcomes and perceptions of using vSIM for Nursingâ„¢: A mixed-methods study

Washington, D.C., USA

Background: Virtual simulation is being trialed in schools of nursing with limited evidence about its impact on student learning outcomes.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore pre-licensure students' learning outcomes and perceptions of using vSim for Nursing™.

Methods: Ninety-nine pre-licensure students performed virtual simulations with a patient suffering anaphylaxis and a patient suffering cardiac arrest. Students provided feedback through surveys after the simulations. The study employed a mixed methods design using descriptive statistics and content analysis.

Results: Quantitative data suggested that the majority of students found the content relevant (89%) and would recommend the virtual simulation for future use (78%). Qualitative data revealed three themes of learning outcomes: 1) Assessment, 2) Prioritization, and 3) Emergency Management. The most common interventions students indicated performing were medication administration (52%) and respiratory interventions (44%). Students felt virtual simulation would be best used in the curriculum as clinical makeup for missed hours (51%) and enhancing lecture (29%).

Conclusions: Nurse educators should consider what learning outcomes virtual simulation fosters and strategically place the exercises within the curriculum. Aligning the application of virtual simulation with student learning preferences may enhance the learning experience.