The University of Manitoba’s College of Nursing VR program team is proud to present a comprehensive “how-to” guide on integrating virtual reality (VR) into nursing curricula and beyond, showcasing the impressive results of our recent program expansion to 1080 undergraduate nursing students. Each student spends approximately 108 clinical hours in simulation, with one-third of that time dedicated to VR experiences. Over the last three semesters, our program has logged a total of over 1500 VR simulation hours, demonstrating our commitment to innovative, immersive education.

We will provide insight into various aspects of VR integration, including understanding the equipment, building strong relationships with IT departments, onboarding faculty, onboarding students and strategies for fostering persistence and patience throughout the process. Lastly, we will touch on the evaluation of the VR program which is currently underway.

As we look to the future, our presentation will also offer a vision for the ongoing expansion and evolution of VR in nursing education, ultimately paving the way for better patient care and outcomes.

Our team’s success is founded on a shared belief in the power of VR to revolutionize nursing education and practice. Join us as we share our experiences and lessons learned, equipping other institutions with the knowledge and tools necessary to harness the potential of VR in undergraduate nursing education and beyond.