Nursing Education in the Era of Virtual Reality

Abstract

Today's new technologies have impacted many different areas of education, with nursing education one such area. Nursing education, as a learning process, targets the combination of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor learning domains. However, traditional teaching methods may not meet all of the Y and Z generations' learning needs. Today's learners are accustomed to multimedia learning environments and have come to expect a certain level of technology integrated into their curricula. Virtual Reality (VR) technology enables students to become immersed within a 360-degree view experience of scenes that have been completely digitally created, whilst no longer viewing the real world around them. Virtual simulation has been used to teach communication, disaster relief, teamwork, and interviewing techniques, among other skills; and can also provide immersive personalized learning experiences. This chapter presents some of the many facets of VR in today's nursing education.