Nursing Students Reported More Positive Emotions about Training during COVID-19 After Using a Virtual Simulation Paired with an In-person Simulation

• Published in: Clinical simulation in nursing
• Main Authors: Harley, Jason M, Bilgic, Elif, Lau, Clarissa H H, Gorgy, Andrew, Marchand, Hugo, Lajoie, Susanne P, Lavoie-Tremblay, Mélanie, Fried, Gerald M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Distance learning; Emotion; Blended learning; Usability; Virtual simulation
• ISSN: 1876-1399; 1876-1402
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecns.2023.04.006

Virtual simulations (VS) are educational tools that can help overcome the limitations of in-person learning highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research has illustrated that VS can support learning, but little is known about the usability of VS as a distance learning tool. Research on students' emotions about VS is also scarce, despite the influence of emotions on learning. A quantitative longitudinal study was conducted with undergraduate nursing students. 18 students participated in a hybrid learning experience involving a virtual simulation (VS) followed by an in-person simulation. Students completed questionnaires about their emotions, perceived success, and usability and received a performance score from the VS. Nursing students reported statistically significant improvements in their emotions about completing their program after completing both VS and in-person simulations compared to their emotions before the pair of simulations. Emotions directed toward the VS were weak-to-moderate in strength, but predominantly positive. Positive emotions were positively associated with nursing students' performance. Findings replicated "okay" approaching "good" usability ratings from a recent study with key methodological differences that used the same software. VS can be an emotionally positive, effective, efficient, and satisfying distance learning supplement to traditional simulations.