Development and application of an immersive 360° video-based VR simulation program for pressure injury management for new nurses: A mixed methods study

Abstract

Aim

The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an immersive 360° video-based VR simulation program for pressure injury management (VR-SIMPI) and explore new nurses’ perceptions and learning experiences qualitatively.

Background

Pressure injuries pose major healthcare challenge, causing patient discomfort, longer hospital stays and increased costs. Effective education for new nurses is essential, but traditional lecture-based training lacks hands-on experience. VR offers an innovative solution by providing immersive, interactive learning that enhances skill development and clinical decision-making.

Design

A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest design with a control group.

Methods

The study was conducted in a tertiary hospital in South Korea with 69 new nurses, divided into an experimental group (n = 35) receiving VR-SIMPI and a control group (n = 34) receiving lecture-based training. Nursing knowledge, performance confidence and clinical competency were assessed quantitatively; qualitative insights were collected through focus group interviews.

Results

The VR-SIMPI program significantly improved pressure injury nursing knowledge (z = -3.78, p < .001, ES = 0.90) and performance confidence (z = -8.40, p < .001, ES = 1.69) in the experimental group. Clinical competency also showed a large effect size (z = -7.00, p < .001, ES = 3.55) compared with the control group. Focus group interviews revealed that participants found the VR environment highly immersive and beneficial for mastering complex clinical scenarios.

Conclusions

VR-SIMPI significantly enhanced knowledge, confidence and competency among new nurses. These findings suggest that VR is a valuable nursing education tool. Future studies should explore its scalability and long-term impact.