Development of Virtual Reality Simulation Program for High-risk Neonatal Infection Control Education

Abstract

Background: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) training requires experiential learning, but nursing students are largely limited to observation in that environment. Virtual reality (VR) simulation has the potential to produce educational gains similar to traditional simulation outcomes. Methods: This methodological study developed a VR simulation program addressing neonatal infection control for nursing students and novice nurses. In the simulation, 3D methods provided virtual environments accessed using a head-mounted display and hand-tracking device. Guideline-based scenarios were verified by eight nursing experts using the three-round Delphi method. Results: The three scenarios address postnatal infection control, focusing on basic care, feeding management for premature infants, and skin care and environmental management for transferred newborns. Conclusion: The VR simulation program supports practical education of novice nurses and nursing students having limited NICU experience. (C) 2020 International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.