Using VR to Teach the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model in Nursing Programs

Imagine a student putting on a virtual reality (VR) headset and stepping into a bustling emergency room. A patient presents with chest pain, shortness of breath, and a rapid heartbeat. The student must assess the patient's vitals, review their medical history, and decide whether to administer oxygen, notify a physician, or prepare for an ECG. 

As they proceed, VR simulations guide the student through the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model steps: recognizing critical cues, analyzing the situation, and making time-sensitive decisions. 

This is the power of virtual reality in nursing education—it allows students to step into real-world scenarios, practice their clinical judgment, and make split-second decisions that could save lives, all without the risk of harming a real patient.

For both students and educators, the importance of the NCLEX cannot be overstated. Every nursing student knows that passing the NCLEX-RN exam is the gateway to a nursing career. But what truly separates those who pass from those who excel in their field is the ability to make sound clinical judgments. 

Clinical judgment is at the heart of effective nursing, and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) has recognized this in the development of the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM). This model, which plays a key role in the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), emphasizes six core steps to guide nurses in making decisions that keep patients safe and well.

So, how can educators help students master these critical skills? One exciting way is through virtual reality.

What is the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model?

The NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model is a framework used to measure clinical decision-making in high-stakes exams like the NCLEX. It’s designed to ensure that nursing students can not only recall information but also apply clinical reasoning in real-life scenarios. The model includes six essential steps: 

1. Recognize Cues
2. Analyze Cues
3. Prioritize Hypotheses
4. Generate Solutions
5. Take Action
6. Evaluate Outcomes. 

Each step is crucial for making informed clinical decisions that improve patient outcomes.

The Role of Virtual Reality in Nursing Education

Virtual reality is an immersive technology that allows users to interact with a simulated environment in a way that feels incredibly real. In nursing education, VR provides an interactive, hands-on experience that helps students learn more effectively. Unlike traditional methods, where students may only read about scenarios or watch demonstrations, VR places them directly into realistic clinical situations.

Imagine being able to practice responding to a cardiac arrest without the pressure of real-world consequences. VR allows nursing students to make mistakes, learn from them, and improve their skills in a risk-free setting. It also enables students to repeat scenarios as often as needed until they feel confident in their abilities.

Integrating the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model with VR

The NCSBN Clinical Judgment Model can be seamlessly integrated into VR simulations. Let’s break down each of the six steps and how VR can enhance the learning experience for each:

1. Recognize Cues: In a virtual simulation, students can be placed in a scenario where they must quickly identify signs that a patient is deteriorating. They may notice changes in heart rate, breathing patterns, or blood pressure. VR allows them to practice this skill repeatedly, reinforcing their ability to detect subtle changes in patient condition.
2. Analyze Cues: Once the cues are identified, students must analyze the data to determine what is going wrong. In a VR scenario, they can be prompted to consider multiple pieces of information, such as lab results or patient history, teaching them how to connect the dots and think critically.
3. Prioritize Hypotheses: In a busy clinical setting, nurses must decide which issues to tackle first. In a VR environment, students can practice making these decisions, whether addressing a life-threatening condition or managing a less urgent issue.
4. Generate Solutions: After determining the patient’s most pressing issues, the student must decide on a course of action. VR simulations can guide students through various intervention options, helping them develop a range of potential solutions that are both evidence-based and patient-centered.
5. Take Action: In a VR scenario, students can implement their chosen interventions in real time, practicing essential nursing skills like administering medication, performing CPR, or coordinating with other healthcare providers.
6. Evaluate Outcomes: After taking action, students can assess whether their interventions were effective. In a virtual simulation, they’ll receive immediate feedback, allowing them to evaluate the success of their clinical judgment and make adjustments as needed.

By practicing each of these six steps in a virtual setting, nursing students can reinforce their clinical judgment skills and prepare themselves for the Next Generation NCLEX.

Research Supporting VR

Research supports the use of virtual reality (VR) in nursing education, particularly in developing clinical judgment and decision-making skills. A meta-analysis found that VR significantly enhances nursing students' theoretical knowledge compared to traditional teaching methods, allowing them to practice complex scenarios repeatedly in a controlled environment. This immersive experience helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world practice, ultimately building students' confidence in clinical decision-making​.

Studies also highlight that VR simulation provides a risk-free setting for students to practice clinical judgment, allowing them to make mistakes and learn from them without compromising patient safety​. By integrating the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM), VR simulations align with real-world scenarios, helping students master the core competencies needed for the NCLEX and beyond.

The Future of Nursing Education with VR

Virtual reality offers a unique, immersive way for students to repeatedly practice clinical judgment scenarios in a controlled, realistic environment. This method not only helps students become more confident in their decision-making abilities but also better prepares them for real-world nursing. With the integration of the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model, VR is set to revolutionize nursing education, ensuring that students are well-equipped to pass the NCLEX and excel in their nursing careers.

For educators, embracing VR technology could be the key to improving NCLEX pass rates and helping students develop the clinical judgment skills they need for long-term success.

Virtual simulations are not just the future—they’re the present, and the results speak for themselves. By integrating tools like VR into nursing curricula, educators can give their students the edge they need to thrive in today’s fast-paced healthcare environments.

Interested in learning more about how virtual reality can transform your nursing program? Explore UbiSim’s cutting-edge VR platform designed specifically for nursing education.