Student nurses´ perception of virtual simulation: a qualitative study

Background: Virtual simulation(VS) is an innovative, computer-generated teaching-learning and assessing activity that is suitable for professional growth, ongoing training, and academic education. Since VS is novel pedagogy in nursing education, there are a variety of views and scarcity of research on the effectiveness of the VS for a teaching-learning process to nursing students, as well as their perceptions on its usability and applicability. Similarly, no studies have evaluated nursing students’ perceptions of the influence of VS on decision-making skills and its comparison to clinical simulation, as far as the researcher is aware. Aim: This study aimed to identify and evaluate the nursing students’ perception of VS in the context of impact, confidence, clinical decision-making skill, and comparison with clinical simulation. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted on a convenience sample of 17 nursing students using one-to-one interviews. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed using an online platform: Microsoft Teams. Data were analyzed using an abductive thematic analysis approach. Results: The four major themes that emerged were: 1. Confidence, 2. Applicability, 3. Comparison with clinical simulation, and 4. Usability and Areas of development. The participants were impressed with the enhancement of their confidence, knowledge, and decision-making skills after involving in VS. While comparing VS with CS, they perceived that the VS was more efficient, effective, and informative than CS. Conclusions: The participants perceived the VS as a useful and applicable tool to enhance their confidence, knowledge, and decision-making skills. They also expressed that VS can not only complement but also replace the clinical simulation where presential simulation is not viable.