Effectiveness of VirtualSim-COVID on Nursing Students' Learning Outcomes toward COVID-19

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic poses challenges to preserving the continuity of education worldwide, mainly within health and nursing education. Thus, non-immersive virtual simulation seems an appropriate pedagogical strategy to help nursing students continue learning safely during the pandemic and improve their learning outcomes. Purpose: This pilot study sought to improve nursing students’ learning outcomes pertaining to COVID-19 among community-dwelling older adults using virtual reality simulation for COVID-19 (VirtualSim-COVID). Method: This pilot study used a one-group pre-test and post-test study design to assess the effectiveness of VirtualSim-COVID on nursing students’ outcomes. Data were collected from September to November 2023 and analyzed using descriptive statistics, a paired t-test, and the Wilcoxon signed rank test. The VirtualSim- COVID consisted of case scenarios, a general review of COVID-19, practice quizzes on preforming hand hygiene, applying personal protective equipment (PPE), and administering the vaccine, and (4) a self-debriefing. Results: A total of 21 junior and senior nursing students in one college in Saudi Arabia were recruited. The result showed that the students demonstrated greater improvement in knowledge (t(19)= -3.33, p=0.004), self-confidence (t(17)= -4.318, p<0.001), and satisfaction (t(17)= -5.063, p<0.001) after the intervention. However, there was no significant change in the overall critical thinking score (t(20)= 0.450, p=0.658), attitude subscale (Z=-1.000, p=.317), and practice subscale (Z=-.258, p=.796). Conclusion: VirtualSim-COVID is an effective educational tool for improving nursing students’ knowledge, skill performance, self-confidence, and satisfaction. Therefore, incorporating virtual simulation into nursing education programs’ curricula is recommended. Further research to replicate with a larger sample size is suggested.