Positioning virtual reality as means of clinical experience in mental health nursing education: A quasi-experimental study

Purpose: Virtual reality technology has been used to establish a risk -free environment in which students can practice psychiatric nursing. A quasi -experimental study was conducted to examine the effects of a virtual reality (VR) based mental health nursing simulation on practice performance of undergraduate nursing students. Methods: A quasi -experimental, pre- and post -test design was used. A total of 68 students were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 36). The control group received conventional simulation using text scenario -based role play. The intervention group received VR software consisting of 360 degrees video clips and related quiz questions. Results: The self-reported perceived competency in nursing performance showed no statistically significant improvement in the experimental group, whereas the control group showed a statistically significant improvement in symptom management (t = 2.84, p = 0.007) and nurse -patient interaction (t = 2.10, p = 0.043). Scores from the assessor showed better performance scores in the experimental group in symptom management (t = - 2.62, p = 0.011), violence risk management (t = -3.42, p = 0.001), and nurse -patient interaction (t = -3.12, p = 0.003). Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate the potential of using VR for optimized mental health nursing simulation. VR technology allowed realistic experiences which may ensure students have a more comprehensive understanding of mentally ill patients and in doing so, overcome barriers of traditional simulation, resulting in better learning outcomes.