Investigating the use of VR in procedural training for nurse education: The development of an educational tool for increasing engagement, motivation and competency

Abstract

This master's thesis discusses how the use of virtual reality (VR) can supplement the simulation practices currently being used in nursing education. Nursing students are currently limited in the number of hours that they can attend the university's medium- and high-fidelity simulations. When students state their belief that they do not have enough practical training, a supplemental procedural training software could help. Our team developed a VR application using the human-centred design process, which allows the user to examine a digital patient in a virtual environment focusing on the ABCDE procedure. This thesis examines how a VR application can increase motivation, engagement and academic performance among students. The thesis also uses a mixed method approach comprised of observations, user tests and questionnaires to investigate and derive the possible conclusion. From the sample size of 14 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, seven participated in the user tests (N = 7). Thematic analysis and aggregated empirical data were used to conclude and answer the research questions. Our conclusion indicates that the application developed for this thesis did elevate the user's motivation and engagement. It was also concluded that the application could increase academic performance and general competency in the ABCDE procedure among undergraduate students. Though this conclusion has a level of confidence, more studies are required to verify the findings.