Using Virtual Simulation to Develop Clinical Judgment in Undergraduate Nursing Students

Background Pediatric clinical facilities have become oversaturated and increasingly restrictive, limiting student exposure to acutely ill children. It is imperative to find alternative methods to provide opportunities for students to work with high-acuity patients, which assist in developing clinical judgment. The sample consisted of participants including 234 students enrolled in child health in a baccalaureate nursing degree program. Methods This repeated measures pilot study used the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric to evaluate the effect of a virtual simulation on students' self-perceived clinical judgment skills. Results Improved clinical judgment was illustrated by students' ability to obtain minimal simulation scores in fewer attempts. Student self-perception of clinical judgment abilities was demonstrated by improved clinical judgment scores. Study results show statistically significant findings in attempts and in student self-perception of their clinical judgment abilities. Conclusion Findings suggest that virtual simulation is beneficial to student learning and the development of clinical judgment skills.