Cullowhee, N.C.-based Western Carolina University nursing students and faculty are using virtual reality simulation technology.
The innovative training program was developed with Learning Lab 360 and the Mountain Area Health Education Center as part of a $2.7 million federal grant aimed at supporting community-based primary care clinical experiences for nurses.
In the first simulation, users virtually entered a scene in which a patient had come into a clinic experiencing an allergic reaction to medication. The users had to make quick decisions about the patient's care and prioritize responses at various points during the simulation.
There are two other simulations, which are designed to help registered nurses develop critical thinking skills in emergency situations.