Empowering Nursing through Virtual Simulation for Enhanced Learning and Care Quality in Chronic Conditions (ENViSion Project)

Abstract

Virtual simulation technologies are increasingly recognized as essential tools in nursing education, providing safe, interactive, and immersive environments for clinical training. These tools enable students to develop decision-making skills, enhance critical thinking, and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world clinical practice. This study aimed to explore and characterize the use of the BodyInteract® virtual simulator in nursing education, focusing on students’ perceptions of its impact on learning. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 328 final-year nursing students actively engaging with the platform. Among them, 75 participants completed an online questionnaire, which included Likert-scale items and open-ended questions to capture both quantitative and qualitative insights. Additionally, platform usage reports were analysed, examining metrics such as simulation completion rates, time spent per session, and types of clinical scenarios practised. The findings revealed that students highly valued the simulator as a learning tool, particularly in enhancing their confidence and comprehension of complex clinical situations. Many participants highlighted the simulator’s interactivity and its alignment with real-world patient care scenarios as key benefits. However, they also identified areas for improvement, such as the need for better curricular integration and expanded scenario diversity. This study contributes to the growing body of evidence supporting the use of virtual simulation in nursing education. It underscores the importance of incorporating student feedback to refine pedagogical approaches and optimize the simulator’s impact. Future research should explore the long-term effects of simulator-based learning on clinical competencies, decision-making skills, and overall care quality.