S6 - Unlocking the Future of Nursing: Integrating Virtual Reality in Your Program in Five Phases

Abstract : This presentation offers a structured approach to integrating Virtual Reality (VR) technology into nursing education, emphasizing five critical phases. VR has revolutionized nursing education by offering immersive, interactive, and hands-on learning experiences that prepare future nurses for the evolving healthcare landscape. The first phase involves conducting a thorough curriculum design and needs assessment to align VR with educational goals and pinpoint areas where it can add substantial value. The second phase focuses on selecting the appropriate VR technology, considering factors such as cost, hardware requirements, software compatibility, and technical support.
Next, faculty training and development are essential to ensure educators are proficient in using VR tools and guiding students effectively. This includes technical training, pedagogical adaptation, and developing assessment strategies. The fourth phase is content development and integration, which necessitates creating realistic and relevant VR scenarios that align with the curriculum and enhance student interactivity and feedback. Lastly, assessment and evaluation strategies are developed to measure the effectiveness of VR integration, including both formative and summative assessments. Continuous evaluation and feedback loops ensure the technology impacts learning outcomes, student engagement, and satisfaction.
By following these five phases—curriculum design and needs assessment, selecting appropriate VR technology, faculty training and development, content development and integration, and assessment and evaluation—nursing educators can successfully harness the benefits of VR, creating a more immersive and effective educational environment. This integration ultimately leads to better preparation of nursing students for real-world healthcare challenges and improved patient outcomes.

Please include a short summary of your presentation that highlights why an attendee would want to participate in your session.: Virtual Reality (VR) technology is a transformative tool in nursing education, offering immersive learning experiences. Successful integration involves five phases: curriculum design and needs assessment, selecting suitable VR technology, faculty training and development, content creation and integration, and assessment and evaluation. These phases ensure VR enhances learning, improves clinical skills, and prepares learners for healthcare challenges.