Investigation of the Effect of Virtual Reality Environment on Developing Clinical Skills in Nursing Students

When considering the duties and responsibilities of nurses in the health system, it is necessary to train well-educated, professional nurses to ensure patient safety and quality of care. However, nurses' many problems with their clinical practice are important obstacles to getting a good education. To reduce the negative consequences of these problems in clinical practice on the quality of education in the nursing profession, laboratory applications of vocational courses in undergraduate education have become more important. In this context, the research aimed to determine the use of a virtual reality application, an innovative training method to increase the quality of nurses' clinical practice training, in the Obstetrics-Gynecology and Diseases Nursing (DKSH) course and its effect on students' course success. In the study, the virtual reality application was prepared for preeclampsia, postpartum care and condom counseling, which are the most frequently encountered by students in professional practice and are of great medical importance. In addition, the effect of simulation training in the virtual reality environment on the student's decision-making self-confidence and anxiety in real clinical practice was also evaluated. In this context, the research aims to determine the effect of a virtual reality environment on improving clinical skills in nursing students.

Inclusion criteria

• Being 18 years of age or older, taking the Obstetrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics Nursing course for the first time, attending the course and taking the information technology course.

Exclusion criteria

• Being visually or hearing impaired, graduating from a health vocational high school, arriving late or leaving early for case discussions or role-play scenarios, and staying in the virtual environment for less than 5 minutes.