Does the Use of Virtual Reality Affect the Performance of Undergraduate Nursing Students? A Scoping Review

Mojtahedzadeh, Rita; Mohammadi, Aeen; Bahramnezhad, Fatemeh

doi:10.22062/sdme.2026.199721.1372

Does the Use of Virtual Reality Affect the Performance of Undergraduate Nursing Students? A Scoping Review

Document Type : Review

Authors

Rita Mojtahedzadeh ¹

Aeen Mohammadi ¹

Fatemeh Bahramnezhad ²

¹ Department of E-Learning in Medical Education, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

² Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

10.22062/sdme.2026.199721.1372

Abstract

Background: Virtual reality-based educational software is a valuable tool and strategy that can effectively address challenges in nursing education.
Objectives: This scoping review aimed to determine the impact of virtual reality on the clinical skills and performance of undergraduate nursing students. The review was conducted in 2025.
Methods: Articles were retrieved by searching relevant keywords in databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Springer, ERIC, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE, SID, and Magiran. After applying the inclusion criteria and quality indicators, seven papers were selected from an initial pool of 158. Data extraction was conducted using a standardized form, and the collected data were then summarized and reported.
Results: Four randomized controlled trials, two quasi-experimental and, an experimental pretest-posttest studies indicated that using virtual reality as a supplementary tool can improve nursing students’ performance in various clinical skills. These skills included tracheostomy and skin care, preoperative fire safety, intravenous catheter insertion, Foley catheter care, documentation during disasters, care for pregnant patients, and other related competencies.
Conclusion: The authors recommend further research on virtual reality-based techniques grounded in learning theories and used as a supplement to face-to-face training. Such approaches could ultimately enhance patient safety.

Highlights

Rita Mojtahedzadeh: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Aeen Mohammadi: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Fatemeh Bahramnezhad: (Google Scholar) (PubMed)

Keywords

Virtual Reality

Undergraduate Nursing Students

Clinical Skills

Performance

1. Rentschler DD, Eaton J, Cappiello J, McNally SF, McWilliam P. Evaluation of undergraduate students using objective structured clinical evaluation. J Nurs Educ. 2007; 46(3): 135-9.
doi: 10.3928/01484834-20070301-09. PMID: 17396554

2. Jahanpour F, Azodi P, Azodi F, Khansir AA. Barriers to practical learning in the field: a qualitative study of Iranian nursing students’ experiences. Nurs Midwifery Stud. 2016;5(2):e26920. doi: 10.17795/nmsjournal26920. PMID: 27579332 PMCID: PMC5002090

3. Raines DA. Using a KWL Chart to Bridge the Theory-Practice Gap. Nurs Educ Perspect. 2018; 39(3): 182-183. doi: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000256. PMID: 29286946

4. Destrebecq A. Clinical nursing education in Italy and its silent revolution. Assist Inferm Ric. 2017; 36(1): 2-4. doi: 10.1702/2676.27414. PMID: 28398385

5. Hodges AL, Konicki AJ, Talley MH, Bordelon CJ, Holland AC, Galin FS. Competency-based education in transitioning nurse practitioner students from education into practice. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2019; 31(11): 675-682. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000327. PMID: 31584507

6. Welch S. Virtual mentoring program within an online doctoral nursing education program: A phenomenological study. Int
J Nurs Educ Scholarsh. 2017; 14(1): 20160049.
doi: 10.1515/ijnes-2016-0049. PMID: 28225705

7. McDowell J, Styles K, Sewell K, Trinder P, Marriott J, Maher S, et al. A simulated learning environment for teaching medicine dispensing skills. Am J Pharm Educ. 2016; 80(1): 11. doi: 10.5688/ajpe80111. PMID: 26941437 PMCID: PMC4776289

8. Davis RL. Exploring possibilities: virtual reality in nursing research. Res Theory Nurs Pract. 2009;23(2):133-47. doi: 10.1891/1541-6577.23.2.133. PMID: 19558028

9. Nencioli F, Quartly GD. Evaluation of Sentinel-3A wave height observations near the coast of southwest England. Remote Sensing. 2019;11(24):2998. doi: 10.3390/rs11242998.

10. Lee EA-L, Wong KW, Fung CC. How does desktop virtual reality enhance learning outcomes? A structural equation modeling approach. Computers & Education. 2010;55(4): 1424-42. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2010.06.006.

11. Farra S, Miller E, Timm N, Schafer J. Improved training for disasters using 3-D virtual reality simulation. West J Nurs Res. 2013;35(5):655-71. doi: 10.1177/0193945912471735. PMID: 23287551

12. Karahoca A, Karahoca D, Yengin İ. Computer assisted active learning system development for critical thinking in history of civilization. Cypriot Journal of Educational Sciences. 2010;
5(1):4-25.

13. Jeffries PR. Getting in STEP with simulations: Simulations take educator preparation. Nurs Educ Perspect. 2008;29(2):70-3. doi: 10.1097/00024776-200803000-00006. PMID: 18459620

14. Buykx P, Kinsman L, Cooper S, McConnell-Henry T, Cant R, Endacott R, et al. FIRST2ACT: Educating nurses to identify patient deterioration—A theory-based model for best practice simulation education. Nurse Educ Today. 2011;31(7): 687-93. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2011.03.006. PMID: 21481992

15. Khatiri K, Rabiee F. The Role of Simulation Software in Learning and Reminding (Case Study on Matlab, Packet Trace, Pspice and Opnet). J Basic Appl Sci Res. 2012;2(6):6178-81.

16. Rodrigues RdCV, Peres HHC. An educational software development proposal for nursing in neonatal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Rev Esc Enferm USP. 2013; 47(1):235-41. doi: 10.1590/s0080-62342013000100030. PMID: 23515826

17. Fealy S, Jones D, Hutton A, Graham K, McNeill L, Sweet L,
et al. The integration of immersive virtual reality in tertiary nursing and midwifery education: A scoping review. Nurse Educ Today. 2019; 79: 14-19. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2019.05.002. PMID: 31078869

18. Ferguson C, Davidson PM, Scott PJ, Jackson D, Hickman LD. Augmented reality, virtual reality and gaming: an integral part of nursing. Contemp Nurse. 2015; 51(1): 1-4. doi: 10.1080/10376178.2015.1130360. PMID: 26678947

19. Dutile C, Wright N, Beauchesne M. Virtual clinical education: Going the full distance in nursing education. Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews. 2011; 11(1): 43-8. doi: 10.1053/j.nainr.2010.12.008.

20. Onyesolu MO, Eze FU. Understanding virtual reality technology: advances and applications. Adv Comput Sci Eng. 2011; 1:53-70.

21. Jenson CE, Forsyth DM. Virtual reality simulation: using
three-dimensional technology to teach nursing students.
Comput Inform Nurs. 2012; 30(6): 312-8; quiz 319-20.
doi: 10.1097/NXN.0b013e31824af6ae. [PMID: 22411409]

22. Dyer E, Swartzlander BJ, Gugliucci MR. Using virtual reality in medical education to teach empathy. J Med Libr Assoc. 2018; 106(4):498-500. doi: 10.5195/jmla.2018.518. PMID: 30271295 PMCID: PMC6148621

23. Smith SJ, Farra S, Ulrich DL, Hodgson E, Nicely S, Matcham W. Learning and retention using virtual reality in a decontamination simulation. Nurs Educ Perspect. 2016;37(4):210-214. doi: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000035. PMID: 27740579

24. Gordon M. Are we talking the same paradigm? Considering methodological choices in health education systematic review. Med Teach. 2016; 38(7): 746-50. doi: 10.3109/0142159X.2016.1147536. PMID: 27007488 PMCID: PMC4973145

25. Bayram SB, Caliskan N. Effect of a game-based virtual reality phone application on tracheostomy care education for nursing students: A randomized controlled trial. Nurse Educ Today. 2019; 79:25-31. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2019.05.010. PMID: 31102793

26. Rossler KL, Sankaranarayanan G, Duvall A. Acquisition of fire safety knowledge and skills with virtual reality simulation. Nurse Educ. 2019;44(2):88-92. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000000551. PMID: 29847356 PMCID: PMC6252293

27. Ismailoglu EG, Zaybak A. Comparison of the effectiveness of a virtual simulator with a plastic arm model in teaching intravenous catheter insertion skills. Comput Inform Nurs. 2018;36(2):98-105. doi: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000405. PMID: 29176359

28. Jung EY, Park DK, Lee YH, Jo HS, Lim YS, Park RW. Evaluation of practical exercises using an intravenous simulator incorporating virtual reality and haptics device technologies. Nurse Educ Today. 2012; 32(4): 458-63. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2011.05.012. PMID: 21664014

29. Smith SJ, Farra SL, Ulrich DL, Hodgson E, Nicely S, Mickle A. Effectiveness of two varying levels of virtual reality simulation. Nurs Educ Perspect. 2018; 39(6): E10-E15. doi: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000000369. PMID: 30335708

30. Smith PC, Hamilton BK. The effects of virtual reality simulation as a teaching strategy for skills preparation in nursing students. Clinical Simulation in Nursing. 2015; 11(1): 52-8. doi: 10.1016/j.ecns.2014.10.001.

31. Chang CY, Sung HY, Guo JL, Chang BY, Kuo FR. Effects of spherical video-based virtual reality on nursing students’ learning performance in childbirth education training. Interactive Learning Environments. 2022; 30(3): 400-16. doi: 10.1080/10494820.2019.1661854.

32. Kundhal PS, Grantcharov TP. Psychomotor performance measured in a virtual environment correlates with technical skills in the operating room. Surg Endosc. 2009; 23(3):645-9. doi: 10.1007/s00464-008-0043-5. PMID: 18622548

33. Janse JA, Goedegebuure RS, Veersema S, Broekmans FJ, Schreuder HW. Hysteroscopic sterilization using a virtual reality simulator: assessment of learning curve. J Minim Invasive Gynecol. 2013; 20(6): 775-82. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2013.04.016. PMID: 23806561

34. Konge L, Annema J, Clementsen P, Minddal V, Vilmann P, Ringsted C. Using virtual-reality simulation to assess performance in endobronchial ultrasound. Respiration. 2013;86(1):59-65. doi: 10.1159/000350428. PMID: 23712017

35. Andreatta PB, Maslowski E, Petty S, Shim W, Marsh M, Hall T, et al. Virtual reality triage training provides a viable solution for disaster‐preparedness. Acad Emerg Med. 2010;17(8):870-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1553-2712.2010.00728.x. PMID: 20670325

36. Andersen SAW, Foghsgaard S, Konge L, Cayé‐Thomasen P, Sørensen MS. The effect of self‐directed virtual reality simulation on dissection training performance in mastoidectomy. Laryngoscope. 2016; 126(8): 1883-8. doi: 10.1002/lary.25710. PMID: 26452157

37. Górski F, Buń P, Wichniarek R, Zawadzki P, Hamrol A. Effective design of educational virtual reality applications for medicine using knowledge-engineering techniques. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. 2016; 13(2): 395-416. doi:10.12973/eurasia.2017.00623a.

38. Ekstrand C, Jamal A, Nguyen R, Kudryk A, Mann J, Mendez I. Immersive and interactive virtual reality to improve learning and retention of neuroanatomy in medical students: a randomized controlled study. CMAJ Open. 2018; 6(1):E103-E109. doi: 10.9778/cmajo.20170110. PMID: 29510979 PMCID: PMC5878950

39. Sultan L, Abuznadah W, Al-Jifree H, Khan MA, Alsaywid B, Ashour F. An experimental study on usefulness of virtual reality 360 in undergraduate medical education. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2019; 10:907-916. doi: 10.2147/AMEP.S219344. PMID: 31802964 PMCID: PMC6826194

40. Gopal M, Skobodzinski AA, Sterbling HM, Rao SR, LaChapelle C, Suzuki K, et al. Bronchoscopy simulation training as a tool in medical school education. Ann Thorac Surg. 2018; 106(1):
280-286. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2018.02.011. PMID: 29530773

41. Blumstein G, Zukotynski B, Cevallos N, Ishmael C, Zoller S, Burke Z, et al. Randomized trial of a virtual reality tool to teach surgical technique for tibial shaft fracture intramedullary nailing. J Surg Educ. 2020;77(4):969-977. doi: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2020.01.002. PMID: 32035854 PMCID: PMC7351249

42. Buckley S, Coleman J, Davison I, Khan KS, Zamora J, Malick S, et al. The educational effects of portfolios on undergraduate student learning: a Best Evidence Medical Education (BEME) systematic review. Med Teach. 2009; 31(4): 282-98. doi: 10.1080/01421590902889897. PMID: 19404891