Using Virtual Simulation to Teach Community Health Nursing Students About Public Health Nursing

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a community/public health nursing virtual simulation. Design: Mixed-methods study. Methods: Sample (N = 121) consisted of community health nursing students, who completed a pretest, virtual simulation, posttest, and satisfaction and self-confidence in learning scale.Findings: Majority of participants’ scores increased from pretest to posttest, and most participants agreed or strongly agreed with statements regarding satisfaction and self-confidence in learning; material learned and found most helpful, as well as knowledge application/utilization plans for practice were revealed. Conclusions: Community/public health nursing virtual simulation was effective at increasing participants’ knowledge, and satisfaction and self-confidence in learning.Clinical Evidence: Virtual simulation is a strategy to improve students’ knowledge of community/public health nursing.

KEYWORDS:

• Computer Simulation; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; Community Health Nursing; Public Health Nursing

Declaration of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Author Contributions

Jenni L. Hoffman, DNP, RN, FNP-C, CLNC, FAANP (First Author)- coordinated research project, IRB submission, data analysis, drafted and edited manuscript, and manuscript submission

Grigoris Argeros, PhD (Second Author)- data analysis and edited manuscript

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Eastern Michigan University through an internal research award.