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.

You are responsible for observing basic grooming behaviors. You must demonstrate acceptable personal hygiene.

• The use of body scents (perfume, aftershave, etc.) is not permitted.

• Clothing must be clean, wrinkle free, stain free, and in good repair.

• The total University uniform, as designated, must be worn.

• Uniform must be well fitting. While jogger-style scrubs may be worn, they must be full-length with no exposed skin.

• Enclosed, regulation nursing or leather shoes with rubber soles must be worn. Open-back shoes, including clogs, are not acceptable. Tennis shoes, sneakers, or any shoe made of pliable fabric with holes of any kind are not acceptable due to the risk of body fluid exposure.

• Neutral-colored undergarments should be worn with the uniform.

• Keep makeup and jewelry to a minimum.

• One small necklace is allowed if it is not visible or within the patient’s reach.

• Ear jewelry is limited to one set of small post earrings. More than one earring per ear and other visible piercings are not acceptable. Visible tongue studs, micro dermal anchors, and facial piercings such as eyebrow, nose, and lips will not be permitted. No bars or gauges should be worn on the ears.

• Nails must be medium-short in length. Only clear or neutral-colored nail polish may be worn. Acrylic, solar gel, or other types of artificial nails or nail coatings are not permitted.

• Students are required to cover tattoos. A long sleeve shirt may be worn under the uniform scrub top to cover tattoos. The long sleeve shirt must be black, white, or gray in color.

• Hair is to be neatly groomed. Long hair is pulled up or back away from the face and contained. Only elastic bands or small clips that match hair or uniform color may be worn.

• Hair must not touch the clavicle when leaning forward. Hair color should be a naturally occurring color (blond, brown, etc.) and not dyed in a dramatic manner.

• Male hair, mustaches, and/or beards should be neatly trimmed. An unshaven appearance is not acceptable.

• You must have the following items in their possession when in the clinical or simulation area:

  • • Watch with minutes and seconds—smartwatches not allowed at clinical location

    • Bandage scissors, approximately 5–8 inches long

    • Black ballpoint pen and a fine black permanent felt-tip marker

    • Stethoscope

    • Pen light

    • Small pocket notepad

    • Textbooks to plan nursing care for assigned patients—instructor will note which textbooks to bring

Dismissal from the laboratory/simulation setting for any reason will be considered an absence and reviewed by the Academic Program Head and Assistant Dean of Students. Absences in excess of what is permitted will result in failure of the course.