Exploring the Acceptability and Feasibility of an Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention for Newly Graduated Nurses Working in a Rural Area

• Published in: Clinical simulation in nursing 2024-06, Vol.91, p.101542, Article 101542
• Main Authors: Lemée, Marie-Hélène, Lavoie, Stéphan, Provost, Josiane, Ledoux, Isabelle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: continuing education; immersive virtual reality simulation; IVR; newly graduated nurses; rural hospital setting; skills development
• ISSN: 1876-1399; 1876-1402
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecns.2024.101542

•The authors investigated whether immersive virtual reality (IVR), which is a recently used educational modality in clinical settings, would be an acceptable and feasible simulation modality for newly graduated nurses (NGNs) in rural areas.•IVR was appreciated by NGNs and considered an acceptable modality for skills development in rural areas. Its use was recommended for all nurses and in all care settings, rural or non-rural. The implementation of this intervention was considered feasible in rural areas, despite some recommendations.•The results of this study reinforce the idea that IVR is a simulation modality to be used for many skills, such as clinical judgment and assessment. This study sought to explore the perceptions of newly graduated nurses (NGNs) regarding the use of immersive virtual reality (IVR) as a tool for skills development in rural clinical settings. NGNs working in a rural hospital setting, participated in a pre-experimental study. The objective was to explore the acceptability and feasibility of an IVR intervention using quantitative and qualitative data. The intervention was considered acceptable (Md = 4, IQR [0.5-1]) with little cybersickness (Md = [0-1], IQR [0-1.5]) and feasible according to four identified themes. IVR could be a useful tool for the development of multiple NGNs skills.