Integration of Remote Virtual Reality into a
Graduate Nursing Skills Lab

When Covid-19 began, many nursing programs faced disruption in student learning. How would students be able to complete their hands-on practice and evaluation? An opportunity presented itself through remote virtual reality (VR) learning. VR immerses the learner in the training. VR allows students to use deliberate practice for the skills they need to obtain. Learn how one clinical nurse education program successfully transitioned to virtual simulation technologies to overcome COVID-19 challenges.

The creation of a graduate level nurse practitioner skills lab through virtual reality was imperative for the students. Once a VR organization was selected, the graduate faculty team went to work, creating the curriculum necessary for skills development. The faculty team utilized the current student resources to put together checklists for each skill that could be integrated into the VR scenarios. The VR company put together the graphics and artificial intelligence that would exist in the background. The three skills that were included in this lab were intubation, paracentesis, and central line insertion. Each skill included a guided practice, expert level, and exam mode.

Results from the VR skill lab included progression and progress statistics, student evaluative feedback, and faculty and student anecdotal comments. The students averaged 3-7 attempts on each skill in each level. The intubation lab had 94.5% of students complete expert level. The paracentesis lab had 88.9% of students complete expert level. The central line insertion lab had 99.3% of students complete expert level.

 VR meets a need for engaging and realistic clinical scenarios. Graduate level nurse practitioner students excel in critical skill competency through VR learning.

Additional Presenter: Dr. Michele McMahon