Student preferences and perceptions of learning with vSim® for Nursing in pneumonia: a quasi-experimental study

Abstract Backgrounds: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and participant satisfaction of the virtual simulation education for nursing students about pneumonia using the vSim platform. Methods Sixty eight junior college students were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. In addition to the training on the vSim platform in the experimental group, experimental and control groups received lectures on pneumonia and clinical skills training. Knowledge tests and self-confidence assessments must be completed before and after training. Results The data of participants in the experimental (n = 32) and control groups (n = 31) were analyzed. Comparing the data before and after training in the two groups revealed that knowledge improvement between the groups after training (p = 0.684) was not significantly different. The improvement level of self-confidence in the experimental group (p = 0.045) was better than that in the control group. The satisfaction survey results for the vSim platform disclose that the satisfaction of seven items exceeds 90% in all items. Conclusion Nursing training with the vSim platform increases nursing students' confidence in their practice and causes high practice satisfaction.