Nursing Students Reported More Positive Emotions About Training During Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) After Using a Virtual Simulation Paired With an In-person Simulation

Abstract

BackgroundVirtual simulations (VS) are educational tools that can help overcome the limitations of in-person learning highlighted during the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Research has illustrated that VS can support learning, but little is known about the usability of VS as a distance learning tool. Research on students’ emotions about VS is also scarce, despite the influence of emotions on learning. MethodsA quantitative longitudinal study was conducted with undergraduate nursing students. Eighteen students participated in a hybrid learning experience involving a VS followed by an in-person simulation. Students completed questionnaires about their emotions, perceived success, and usability and received a performance score from the VS. ResultsNursing students reported statistically significant improvements in their emotions about completing their program after completing both VS and in-person simulations compared to their emotions before the pair of simulations. Emotions directed toward the VS were weak-to-moderate in strength, but predominantly positive. Positive emotions were positively associated with nursing students’ performance. Findings replicated “okay” approaching “good” usability ratings from a recent study with key methodological differences that used the same software. ConclusionsVS can be an emotionally positive, effective, efficient, and satisfying distance learning supplement to traditional simulations.