High Fidelity and Virtual Reality Skills and Simulation Based Experiences

Prior to each simulation experience, you will complete the preparation activities listed in the course-specific Immersive Learning Experiences List. The preparatory activities align with nursing skills and concepts included in each simulation experience and support your continued success in immersive learning experiences. The Immersive Learning Experiences list is found within your course.

Simulated clinical experiences provide you with the opportunity to practice patient care and demonstrate competencies within a safe environment (AACN, 2021). A longitudinal study conducted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) concluded that traditional clinical hours can be substituted with up to 50% high quality simulation experiences (Alexander et. al., 2014). Purdue Global utilizes a 2:1 clinical to high-fidelity simulation hour ratio where 2 hours of clinical equals 1 hour of high-fidelity simulation. 

Virtual reality (VR) experiences utilize a 1:1 clinical to VR experience ratio, where 1 hour of clinical equals 1 hour of VR simulation.

Your simulated clinical experiences will be facilitated by faculty members and staff trained in simulation pedagogy in accordance with the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) Standards of Practice.

Pre-briefing provides you with the necessary ground rules and expectations prior to completing a simulation experience. It enhances psychological safety while allowing you to critically think and focus on meeting the objectives of the simulation scenario (McDermott et al., 2021). It is the policy of the simulation center that simulation experience includes pre-briefing. Each pre-briefing experience follows best practice standards set forth by INACSL and utilizes a theory-based tool.

Debriefing is the most critical component in simulation (INACSL Standards Committee, 2021). The goal of debriefing is to reflect and synthesize concepts and content from the simulation and consider how the simulation experience will influence your future nursing practice. It is the policy of the simulation center that all simulation experiences include debriefing. Each debriefing experience follows best practices and utilizes a theory-based debrief tool.

Your pre-briefing and debriefing experiences will be facilitated by ASN faculty who are academically and experientially qualified subject matter experts in course content.

To support quality improvement and continuous process improvement after each simulation experience, you will have the opportunity to complete a Simulation Survey.

Please note: no food or drink is permitted in the simulation environment.

• You are to be supervised by faculty or staff while in the immersive learning environment.

• Only students, faculty, and staff are permitted in the immersive learning environment.

• You may be asked to assist in the setup and cleaning/dismantling of immersive learning equipment.

• You must prepare for all immersive learning activities as assigned.

• If you are not prepared for immersive learning activities, you will be subject to remediation and/or disciplinary action.

• After successfully completing the requirements of a skill in the laboratory, you may be asked to perform the skill in the clinical area under the direct supervision of the instructor. Refer to the following Progression section for additional information regarding skills proficiency.

• You are directly responsible for the safety of the patient (under the state Nurse Practice Act) and must perform procedures safely under the direct supervision of faculty and/or licensed personnel.

• You are expected to review the Practice Act for Professional Nursing for their specific state.