%0 Journal Article
%T Positioning virtual reality as means of clinical experience in mental health nursing education: A quasi-experimental study.
%A Lee M
%A Kim SK
%A Go Y
%A Jeong H
%A Lee Y
%J Appl Nurs Res
%V 77
%N 0
%D 2024 Jun
%M 38796255
%F 1.847
%R 10.1016/j.apnr.2024.151800
%X <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Virtual reality technology has been used to establish a risk-free environment in which students can practice psychiatric nursing. A quasi-experimental study was conducted to examine the effects of a virtual reality (VR) based mental health nursing simulation on practice performance of undergraduate nursing students.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>A quasi-experimental, pre- and post-test design was used. A total of 68 students were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 32) and a control group (n = 36). The control group received conventional simulation using text scenario-based role play. The intervention group received VR software consisting of 360° video clips and related quiz questions.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The self-reported perceived competency in nursing performance showed no statistically significant improvement in the experimental group, whereas the control group showed a statistically significant improvement in symptom management (t = 2.84, p = 0.007) and nurse-patient interaction (t = 2.10, p = 0.043). Scores from the assessor showed better performance scores in the experimental group in symptom management (t = -2.62, p = 0.011), violence risk management (t = -3.42, p = 0.001), and nurse-patient interaction (t = -3.12, p = 0.003).<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The findings of this study indicate the potential of using VR for optimized mental health nursing simulation. VR technology allowed realistic experiences which may ensure students have a more comprehensive understanding of mentally ill patients and in doing so, overcome barriers of traditional simulation, resulting in better learning outcomes.