Integration of virtual simulation to re-establish clinical placements for pre-licensure nursing students

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AimTo examine the re-establishment of clinical placements that were disrupted by the pandemic, using a new hybrid clinical model that included virtual simulation, and to evaluate its effects on NCLEX pass rates and students' perceptions of readiness to practice. BackgroundSchools of nursing were forced to rapidly adjust clinical learning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The final-semester practicum is crucial in reinforcing clinical reasoning, interprofessional collaboration, and effective communication. MethodsThis quality improvement project followed the SQUIRE 2.0 (Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence) for reporting. We implemented and evaluated the integration of a clinical practicum which included onsite clinical experiences, virtual simulation, and online debriefing sessions for prelicensure students. The students rotated between six-weeks of on-site clinical and virtual simulation. Using a program evaluation approach, NCLEX pass rates and post-graduation evaluations were examined. ResultsMore than 600 students completed over 120 on-site clinical hours, 25 hours of simulation, and up to 80 hours of virtual clinical. Students self-reported high levels of self-perceived clinical competency. NCLEX pass rates remained above the national average. ConclusionThis new hybrid clinical model including virtual simulations, onsite clinical, and simulation was implemented in 2020 and sustained in the nursing program thereafter. NCLEX pass rates and self-reported clinical competency serve as metrics for the success of this innovative approach to clinical learning for prelicensure students.