Project overview
VR simulations are much more engaging to users than other forms of simulation. This may be due to the feeling of presence felt during immersive VR experiences. VR training may give new nurses a greater perceived value of nursing simulation training, which builds positive attitudes towards learning experiences.
The following project represents a collaboration with academic professionals in an industry setting for on-going project.
User
Nursing students, some of their challenges are as follows. They feel judged and stressed while practicing in groups
Sim days are limited and don’t offer complex scenarios like hypovolemic shock. Lack of familiarity about scenario based unfolding questions. Fears losing their dream career if they fail the exam. We are focusing on nursing students since they are a crucial part of the healthcare ecosystem. Let us see how this affects our current user through RN turnover
RN turnover
Some definitions include any nurse leaving an organization involuntary or voluntary.
The cost of nursing turnover is, unfortunately, not just financial. Patient outcomes are directly tied to adequate staffing levels and healthcare retention. National turnover rate has increased by 8.4% in 2021
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The average cost of turnover was over $40,000 for bedside resident nurses.
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For the average hospital, RN turnover costs just over $5 million per year.
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However, even a 1% change in nurse turnover can save or cost nearly $271,000, making retention a pressing financial matter for healthcare systems.
National average
The turnover rate for staff RNs increased by 8.4 percent
Why VR in nursing simulation
VR simulations are much more engaging to users than other forms of simulation. This may be due to the feeling of presence felt during immersive VR experiences. VR training may give new nurses a greater perceived value of nursing simulation training, which builds positive attitudes towards learning experiences.
Medical VR simulations offer unparalleled realism; scenarios that would be impossible to recreate in real-world settings can be safely run on VR.
Letting new nurses practice on simulated patients builds their skills and confidence without risking harm to a real human patient.
Although some VR simulations and technology require an upfront investment, an individual headset and training license can train multiple people in a range of different scenarios. One study showed that even when VR training is initially more expensive than healthcare simulations, after three years, each VR session costs nearly a third of traditional simulation training.The evidence shows that virtual reality is an effective approach in building vital skills such as critical thinking, communication with patients, knowledge acquisition, and recognition of high stakes clinical situations.
Competitive analysis
These are some examples of institutions already disrupting nursing education using extended/ Virtual reality., aimed at reimagining the existing system of preparing pre-licensure nursing students. VR does not replace traditional skills training or high-fidelity simulation; students will continue to participate in hands-on experiences. What VR simulations does is increase the number of experiences for each learner. Students will complete simulations as the primary nurse and can repeat the simulation multiple times. For example, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner students of Vanderbilt school of nursing were exploring how virtual reality can be used in health care and education, taking part in an innovative VUSN pilot program called SparkleVille, which uses technology to enhance kinesthetic learning. classroom at the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing introduced virtually experiencing campfires, galaxies, snowfall and other relaxing settings to help both the students and patients.
NCLEX
An examination which all registered nurses are required to take and pass in order to start practicing.
the test also marks as a benchmark metric to assess and maintain a nursing program’s accreditation.
In 2021, Jefferson nursing had 86% of pass rate amongst first time test takers. While this is good, we certainly have room for improvement. Lastly, the NCLEX exam recently updated their question format where the students will now have 2-8 unfolding questions based on a single case study. This means that students will need to be familiar with patient case studies beyond the textbooks and apply critical thinking on their toes.
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A computer adaptive test that is required for nursing graduates to successfully pass to be licensed as a Registered Nurse in the US and Canada.
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Recent update expected for spring 2023
Passing rate
Total 516 first time test takers (2021)
Primary research goals
Current state
Learn how effective current learning methods are (Sim labs)
Empathize
Deeper understanding of pain points & needs of TJU nursing students
Potential
Find opportunities to enhance learning experience for NCLEX
Survey insights
Prior experience
Total 516 first time tes16 students had some experience with virtual nursing simt takers (2021)
Repeat experience
55% students wanted to try VR simulations again
Our first interaction with the students was through an online survey where we wanted to see how many students had exposure to VR and if their experience has been helpful or not. By the end of survey we received 54 responses out of which 31% had tried virtual nursing simulation such as UbiSim through cardboard glasses or through plug-in headsets. So there’s some lack of exposure to VR there. But, out of those students 55% students wanted to try VR simulations again as a learning method. In terms of how current simulations with mannequins are, several students mentioned that the sim days can be long and challenging to manage with their already hectic schedules. With the current sim lab content, some students also mentioned how labs can feel repetitive and sometimes feel like they aren’t learning anything new.
Contextual Inquiry Insights
“Enjoyed the simulation. Very realistic and immersive. A valuable tool”
Simone Woods
“Makes the next gen questions come to life and help in imagining the scenarios in real life.”
Nicole Yang
“Loved it - I’d rather do this than a simulation with mannequins, this is way more real!”
Calvin Smith
“Hourly rotation schedule doesn't provide much hands on time”
Suzanne Levis
Screens
We recorded several 360 videos on Titan camera with my team which were then transferred and reformatted. These RAW videos were then sorted and edited according to our scenarios. CenarioVR proved to be a valuable tool for proof of concept for this project which will be handed over to assigned UNITY devs for this feature.
Question screens mockup
Next steps - prototyping
Usability testing
Moderated testing to assess satisfaction rate of students
Design
Iterate based on user testing findings to improve the model
Growth
Opportunity to build and add more scenarios to library
