Pediatric VR Nursing Education Guide

As a nurse learner puts on a virtual reality (VR) headset and steps into a virtual hospital room, their eight-year-old patient with ADHD sits on the exam table with their concerned mother beside them. The learner’s task isn’t just to do a physical assessment—it’s to build trust and communicate with empathy to both the patient and the parent. This immersive scenario provides a risk-free space to practice assessment skills and master therapeutic communication.

This is the transformative power of VR, providing nursing students and novice nurses with a safe environment to make mistakes, learn from them, and refine their skills without real-world consequences. UbiSim, a VR platform designed for nurses by nurses, offers over a dozen immersive pediatric scenarios for learners to practice. These simulations - and the flexibility to customize them with the UbiSim Intuitive Editor - allow nurses to build confidence, master therapeutic communication, and develop the expertise needed to effectively care for pediatric patients.

‍Research underscores the critical need for this preparation. Studies show that higher pediatric readiness scores in healthcare settings are directly linked to improved survival rates among critically ill children, emphasizing the vital role of comprehensive training in pediatric nursing. With VR, future nurses gain the confidence and competence to make a life-saving difference.

Importance of Pediatric Nursing Education

Pediatric nursing education is critical, not only for those specializing in the field but for all nurses who may interact with children during their practice. Even if a nurse's primary focus is adult or general care, they are likely to encounter situations requiring pediatric knowledge—whether providing direct care to children, communicating with young family members of an adult patient, or addressing health concerns that span generations within a family. The ability to adapt and respond appropriately to children’s needs is an essential skill for nursing practice.

Pediatric Nursing and Broader Healthcare 

The healthcare industry is grappling with significant workforce challenges, and pediatrics is no exception. A report from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) warns of critical workforce shortages projected by 2032, with specialty areas like pediatrics being among the hardest hit. These shortages could lead to gaps in care for children, especially in underserved communities, further exacerbating health disparities.

Compounding this issue is the growing demand for pediatric-focused healthcare professionals. Factors such as rising rates of childhood diabetes and mental health conditions have increased the need for specialized pediatric care. The COVID-19 pandemic also spotlighted the vulnerability of pediatric populations, particularly in mental health, driving an urgent need for nurses trained in holistic, family-centered pediatric care.

Challenges in Traditional Pediatric Nursing Training

Pediatric nursing education faces significant challenges, many of which stem from factors beyond the control of educators and trainers. Here are some:

Limited Clinical Placements

With high demand and limited capacity, many nursing programs struggle to secure enough clinical opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience. Moreover, privacy and safety considerations in pediatric care settings often restrict student access to direct patient care. Ethical concerns also play a role, as children are a vulnerable population requiring experienced, specialized care, further limiting opportunities for learners.

No Access to High-Stakes Scenarios

Pediatric emergencies, such as sepsis or severe allergic reactions, demand quick decision-making and action, which are hard to develop without real-world practice. Similarly, interacting with stressed families in emotionally charged situations is a crucial aspect of pediatric nursing that can be challenging to teach through traditional methods. Standard role-playing exercises or lectures often fall short of preparing students to navigate these complex dynamics effectively. 

How VR Enhances Pediatric Nursing Education

In VR, nurse learners have the chance to be THE nurse responding to a crisis. 

VR enhances pediatric nursing education by providing immersive, interactive learning experiences that bridge the gaps in traditional training. Here are some key ways VR enhances pediatric nursing education:

Empathy Building

When a pediatric patient is looking at the nurse learner and talking to them in VR, it’s hard not to have it tug at their emotions. It becomes a practice of suspending disbelief so they can take a chance at being a “real” nurse who cares for their patient with empathy. The learners are able to feel for the patient and the parent and, from there, communicate effectively.

Family-Centered Care

Pediatric VR scenarios are designed to mirror real-life situations, often incorporating parents or caregivers into the virtual environment. This allows learners to practice engaging with family members as an integral part of the care process. They can explain treatment plans, address concerns, and provide emotional support. 

Crisis Management

Pediatric emergencies demand swift action and critical thinking, and VR provides a platform for learners to practice managing high-pressure scenarios safely. In a suspected sepsis scenario, for example, the learner must recognize early warning signs, such as fever, rapid heart rate, or lethargy, and quickly initiate appropriate interventions. They likely never get the chance to do something like this in clinicals while still in school. 

Clinical Judgment Development

In these immersive simulations, learners are presented with realistic cases requiring them to assess symptoms, interpret data, prioritize interventions, and evaluate outcomes in real time. They have to go through the six steps of clinical judgment, mirroring the questions on the NCLEX and the process they’ll have to go through in real clinical practice. For example, a scenario involving an infant with BRUE requires the learner to quickly identify red flags, escalate care, and administer appropriate treatments.

UbiSim Pediatric Scenarios

UbiSim offers an extensive catalog of over a dozen pediatric scenarios, each designed to immerse learners in realistic, high-stakes environments. Beyond the diverse pre-designed scenarios, UbiSim also provides the flexibility to customize simulations to align with the specific needs of your institution and learners. This adaptability ensures that training remains relevant, engaging, and impactful. Here are some of the scenarios:

Asthma Exacerbation

Participants conduct a focused assessment of a child with an acute asthma exacerbation, prioritize interventions based on the patient's condition, provide age-appropriate communication and support.

Bronchiolitis

Participants perform a focused nursing assessment for an infant with bronchiolitis, prioritize interventions, provide age-appropriate communication and support for infants and families.

Cystic Fibrosis

Learners care for a pediatric patient with cystic fibrosis implementing respiratory interventions and developmentally appropriate nursing care to support a school aged child living with a chronic illness.

Pneumonia

Participants conduct a focused assessment of a child with pneumonia, prioritize interventions, and provide age-appropriate care with therapeutic communication.

Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Participants conduct a focused assessment of a child with type 1 diabetes mellitus, prioritize interventions for glucose levels, offer age-appropriate care, and use therapeutic communication.

Final Thoughts

Immersive VR is a great tool to bridge the gap between theory and practice in pediatric nursing education. It immerses learners in realistic scenarios, helping them build critical skills, empathy, and confidence in a safe environment. UbiSim’s diverse and customizable pediatric scenarios prepare nurses for real-world challenges, equipping them to deliver compassionate and effective care. As pediatric health demands grow, integrating VR into training is not just innovative—it’s essential.