Our Most Popular Virtual Medical Simulations for Nurses

Virtual medical simulations in the form of virtual reality (VR) have transformed nursing education by offering immersive experiences that prepare students for real-world clinical challenges. One of the biggest advantages of virtual medical simulations is the ability to simulate critical scenarios that nursing students may not encounter during clinical rotations or with traditional training methods. 

With VR, nurse trainees and students can practice real nursing scenarios in a safe and controlled environment, building the confidence and skills they need for similar cases in clinical practice.

UbiSim is a nursing VR training and education platform built for nurses by nurses. We’ve highlighted some of our most popular virtual medical simulations that are helping shape the next generation of nurses.

Most Popular Virtual Medical Simulations for Nurses

1. Sepsis

Sepsis is a critical area of focus in nurse training, and there’s a growing emphasis on improving education and training programs. Researchers concluded that nurses need a solid understanding of sepsis to increase their ability to recognize and manage this condition with confidence.

UbiSim has a pediatric sepsis scenario that is one of our most popular simulations due to the importance of early recognition and management in improving patient outcomes. 

Here are the learning objectives:

• Conduct an assessment on a child presenting with suspected sepsis
• Prioritize evidence-based treatment protocols based on the patient's condition
• Provide developmentally appropriate therapeutic communication, education, and support to the patient and family
• Update the provider on the patient's condition using SBAR

2. Acute Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack, is a leading cause of death, so it’s crucial for nurses to learn how to respond when it occurs. Understanding how to recognize and manage acute myocardial infarction is paramount for nurses, given its life-threatening nature and the immediate intervention required to improve patient outcomes. 

UbiSim has an acute myocardial infarction scenario. This simulation is widely used because it allows students to practice critical interventions for heart attack management. 

Here are the learning objectives:

• Conduct a physical assessment of the patient 
• Prioritize and implement interventions
• Provide therapeutic communication and support 
• Communicate your findings to the interprofessional healthcare team using the SBAR format

3. End-of-Life Care

Preparing nursing students and nurse trainees for end-of-life care cannot be overlooked. It’ll be an inevitable part of their clinical experience, and it’s important to educate them on how to approach dying patients and their families and how they can take care of themselves in the process. 

UbiSim has an end-of-life care scenario. UbiSim’s end-of-life care simulation is popular for its focus on communication and emotional support, skills that are essential but difficult to teach in a traditional classroom setting. 

Here are the learning objectives:

• Conduct a focused nursing assessment 
• Perform evidence-based nursing interventions
• Provide therapeutic communication and education to the patient and family member
• Communicate the patient's condition to the provider and interprofessional team using SBAR

4. Diabetes 

Diabetes care is a cornerstone of chronic disease management.

UbiSim has several diabetes scenarios, including safe medication administration for Type II diabetes, Type I diabetes mellitus, and Type II diabetes management.. Our most popular one is the safe Medication administration to a patient with diabetes. Due to the critical nature of medication management, this simulation is frequently used in nurse training programs.

Here are the learning objectives:

• Identify the signs and symptoms associated with abnormal blood glucose levels
• Perform a focused physical assessment of a patient with type 2 diabetes
• Implement appropriate nursing interventions for a patient with an abnormal blood glucose level
• Demonstrate safety in the administration of medications within the nursing practice
• Communicate the patient's condition to the provider using the SBAR format

5. COPD/Asthma

Nurses are an important part of COPD and asthma care for a variety of reasons including quality of life, early identification, treatment plans, and education. 

UbiSim has a COPD scenario and an asthma scenario. UbiSim’s scenarios for these conditions are widely used to train nurses on proper assessment and intervention, ensuring that students can manage these common yet complex conditions effectively.

Here are the learning objectives:

• Conduct a focused assessment of a child with an acute asthma exacerbation/a patient with a COPD exacerbation
• Prioritize nursing interventions based on the patient's condition
• Provide developmentally appropriate therapeutic communication and support to the patient and family/the patient with COPD
• Notify the provider of the patient's condition using SBAR

What are the advantages of using virtual medical simulations for nurse education?

• Safe, controlled environment: Allows nursing students to practice high-risk scenarios without the fear of harming real patients.
• Enhanced clinical judgment: Develops critical thinking, decision-making, and clinical reasoning skills by simulating real-world situations.
• Repetition for mastery: Students can repeat scenarios multiple times, building confidence and refining their skills.
• Exposure to rare cases: Simulates critical conditions, such as sepsis or myocardial infarction, that may not always be encountered during clinical rotations.
• Realistic, hands-on experience: Immerses students in lifelike clinical environments, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

Final Thoughts

Virtual medical simulations have become an indispensable tool in nursing education. With UbiSim’s immersive VR platform, nursing students can practice handling complex medical conditions—like sepsis, myocardial infarction, and diabetes—in a safe, risk-free environment. These simulations not only enhance clinical judgment and decision-making but also provide the hands-on experience needed to build confidence and competence.

As nursing education evolves, virtual medical simulations will continue to play a pivotal role in preparing nurses to deliver high-quality care in real-world settings. By providing access to realistic, repeatable scenarios, platforms like UbiSim ensure that students are better equipped to manage critical situations, improving patient outcomes and shaping the future of healthcare.