PILL-VR Simulation Learning Environment for Teaching Medication Administration to Nursing Students

This paper presents an effective way to provide formal and practical learning in higher education of professionals. The Pharmacology Inter-Leaved Learning-Virtual Reality (PILL -VR) simulation was designed to promote situated and connected learning among nursing students by enabling practice and problem -solving in a safe environment. This study is part of the larger PILL learning environment, which connects the VR to more formal learning of related math and science topics. The purpose was to design and evaluate the effectiveness of the PILL-VR simulation as a setting for learning processes of me dication administration in a virtual ward. Sophomore-year nursing students (n=88) role-played nurses in a 3D virtual ward in guided activities. We used both qualitative and quantitative design, and pre-and post-test questionnaires, interviews and screen capture of the learning process. The results revealed a significant increase in students’ scores following simulation on the Medication Administration Procedure questionnaire. Thematic analysis of the interviews (n=4) showed the greatest improvement in students’ knowledge of guidelines-implementation. Usability measures demonstrated a high sense of presence. Results are discussed in terms of ways to support bridging the theory/practice gap in nursing education and more generally, education in professions. (מתוך המאמר‎)