Friday, 20 April 2018
The integration and use of simulation in online nursing education is continually growing and evolving. Nurses who usually select an online education do so for its flexibility as well as the ability to continue to work while in school (Breen & Jones, 2015). A new online RN to BSN nursing program was developed to support the continuation of local Associate degree (ADN) prepared nurses in their professional education. A learner-centered approach requires nursing faculty to carefully identify appropriate teaching strategies to meet the learning needs of the Associate degree (ADN) prepared nurse. Associate degree prepared Registered Nurses bring basic nursing knowledge as well as a variety of clinical skills however, community health is not addressed (Thomas, 2016). The use of simulation and student outcomes are related (Tate, 2009) yet, research regarding the use of a virtual simulation environment has not been fully substantiated (Aebersold & Tschannen, 2014). Nursing students enrolled in an RN to BSN online nursing program have shopped around for the online nursing program that best fits their personal needs. The RN to BSN nursing student can be local and close by or as in many online nursing programs the students are scattered throughout the state as well as the nation which poses a challenge for nursing faculty to come up with creative learning opportunities. With the ever growing shortage of clinical sites, the search for alternative means and realistic learning opportunities are needed. One such option is the use of Virtual or 3 D simulation. Virtual simulation offers experiential learning and the opportunity to learn in a realistic environment. RN to BSN nursing students and faculty can access the simulated 3D environment at any time and from anywhere. Online nursing students and nursing faculty alike can interact, communicate and collaborate and at the same time, nursing faculty can review and keep track of the online nursing students’ progress as well as their leadership skills (Breen, 2014).