Title : Bridging nursing education and clinical practice through immersive virtual reality simulation for undergraduate and graduate learners
Abstract:
Persistent gaps between academic preparation and clinical practice, coupled with constraints in traditional clinical placements, necessitate pedagogical innovations that support competency-based nursing education. Bowie State University Department of Nursing faulty, simulation staff, and students addressed the challenge by implementing immersive virtual reality. This project describes the development of an immersive Virtual Reality (VR) simulation designed to bridge nursing education and clinical practice for undergraduate and graduate nursing students while aligning with nursing competencies and standards of care. The VR platform provides structured, standardized clinical scenarios that reflect real-world healthcare environments, including fundamental nursing skills, community and acute care practice, therapeutic and interprofessional communication, and the assessment and management of mental health conditions. Scenarios are intentionally mapped to professional nursing competencies, evidence-based practice guidelines, and patient safety standards to promote clinical reasoning, decision-making, and ethical practice. Additionally, immersive virtual reality simulation exposes learners to high-acuity, low-frequency, and complex clinical situations that may be underrepresented in traditional clinical experiences. By aligning immersive learning with professional expectations, this approach enhances clinical competence, confidence, and readiness for safe, effective entry into professional nursing practice. This session provides an overview of Bowie State University’s immersive VR simulation, emphasizing its role in connecting classroom learning to clinical practice. Participants will learn how scenario design, competency alignment, and pre- and post-debriefings support measurable improvements in students’ Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).
