Virtual Gaming Simulation for Nursing Education: An Experiment

- Virtual gaming simulation is an educational approach that is interesting, stimulating, and accessible.
- This article describes a pediatric virtual game that uses video clips to put the student in the role of the nurse.
- The results of a study comparing outcomes from the game and a comparable laboratory simulation indicate that virtual gaming can yield comparable outcomes with laboratory simulation.

BackgroundIncreasingly, simulation is replacing some clinical hours as nursing schools struggle to find quality clinical placements for students.MethodsAn experimental study was conducted to compare a virtual gaming simulation with a laboratory simulation regarding three outcomes: students' pediatric knowledge, self-efficacy, and satisfaction.ResultsBoth groups made modest knowledge gains. They made significant gains in self-efficacy scores with the gaming group making greater gains. Satisfaction survey scores were high for both groups.ConclusionsVirtual gaming simulation combined with hands-on simulation could become part of the suite of best teaching and learning practices we offer students.