Developing Nursing Clinical Judgment Competency Through Virtual Reality

The healthcare system faces a critical shortage of skilled nurses, compounded by pandemic-induced burnout and an aging nursing workforce. Disturbingly, the readiness of newly licensed nurses on their first day of practice has declined from 23% in 2015 to a mere 9%, as revealed by the Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Concurrently, nurses are shouldering heavier patient loads, particularly with the baby boomer generation's complex care needs, per a recent nurse staffing company survey. To address this pressing issue, we must expedite the production of highly qualified nurses. Nurses play a pivotal role in guiding patient care plans and optimizing provider-patient interactions. Virtual Reality (VR) simulation emerges as a solution, offering a safe environment for nursing students to develop clinical judgment. Immersive VR, with sensory-rich experiences, allows learners to encounter diverse patients and practice therapeutic communication. It empowers self-reflection, preparing nurses to deliver expert care without compromising patient safety. VR simulation holds the key to bridging the gap in nursing proficiency.