VIRTUAL REALITY IN

NURSING EDUCATION
By Kelly A. Miksch
VIRTUAL REALITY INTRO VIDEO
WHAT IS VIRTUAL REALITY

Virtual reality provides three dimensional images that interactive and can
be controlled by the learner through the use of gloves, joystick and
helmets that can sense the learners movements. Anatomical dissections
environmental changes are also part of virtual reality (Gaberson &
Oermann, 1999).
 VIRTUAL REALITY AND NURSING
EDUCATION
Benefits:
Learn by doing rather than seeing.
Practice skills without risking patient safety.
Provides controlled learning environment.
Builds upon familiarity with technology.
Educational experiences tailored to learning
objectives.
 WHAT DOES THE LITERATURE
SAY?
A study conducted by Codier, Neves and Morrsion (2014) mentions that
80% of those surveyed, who participated in the study stated that virtual
reality activities had a positive effect on their overall learning experience.
In that same study, 90% of respondents stated that course objectives
were met using virtual reality activities and 80% stated that they were
met well if not better than traditional methods.
In one study, the use of a virtual learning environment led to better
reflection between online students, which may support the creation of
communities of practice. Researchers also found the SL environment
allowed for feedback to the students from their virtual patients which
increased the benefit of the learning environment for the learners
(Aebersold, Tschannen and Bathish, 2012, para. 9).
EXAMPLE OF VIRTUAL REALITY
SOFTWARE PROGRAMS
CONS TO VIRTUAL REALITY IN
NURSING EDUCATION

Low physical interactivity
Low fidelity or exactness to
real life scenario
Limited experiential learning
Can be costly
limited availability of trained
instructors/ operators
Limited patient scenarios
 VIRTUAL REALITY IN CONJUNCTION
WITH OTHER METHODS OF LEARNING
 REFERENCES
Aebersold, M., Tschannen, D., and Bathish, M. (2012). Innovative simulation
strategies in education. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3328148/
Codier, E., Neves, A., and Morrison, P. (2014). Teaching nursing students in
a multi-user virtual environment (MUVE): A pilot study. Ann Nurs Pract 1(3):
1012.
Durham, C. and Alden, K. (2008). Enhancing patient safety in nursing
education through patient simulation. Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK2628/
Gaberson, K. and Oermann, M. (1999). Clinical teaching strategies in
nursing. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, Inc.
Templeton, H. and Hooper, G. (2016). Getting real? Using virtual reality in
nursing education. Retrieved from http://www.nursetogether.com/getting-
real-using-virtual-reality-nursing-education