Simulations, AI and VR combine to prepare nursing students for real patients
Purdue Global celebrates Healthcare Simulation Week (Sept. 14-18) at sim centers, with speaker
A Purdue Global nursing student runs through a patient simulation in a simulation center. (Purdue Global photo/Doug Mott)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — While Sept. 14-18 is Healthcare Simulation Week, Purdue Global nursing faculty, staff and students are learning and working with hospital-based and virtual reality simulation programs all year long.
The continuous learning helps students like Lilia “Lily” Ludovissy become knowledgeable and skilled nurses.
Ludovissy, who is working on her associate of science in nursing degree from Purdue Global, said the simulation center helps prepare her for realistic events in clinical settings. Ludovissy is taking courses at Purdue Global’s site at UnityPoint Health – Jones Regional Medical Center in Anamosa, Iowa.
“The program has enhanced my clinical knowledge, critical thinking and leadership skills,” Ludovissy said. “Through the support of engaging coursework and simulation experiences, I have become a more confident, competent, well-rounded nursing professional who is better prepared to meet the ever-evolving needs of healthcare.”
Ludovissy said the supportive faculty members have been helpful in her courses and at the simulation center, allowing her to continue her education while maintaining her career.
“They have provided guidance and offer constructive feedback to learn from our mistakes and provide safe care,” she said. “Purdue Global has helped me grow both professionally and personally.”
In addition to utilizing simulation programs through virtual reality and AI platforms on Meta Quest headsets in associate and master’s nursing degree programs, Purdue Global operates four simulation centers with four hospital partners at the following locations:
- Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, Maine
- CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs in Iowa
- Dallas County Hospital in Perry, Iowa
- UnityPoint Health – Jones Regional Medical Center in Anamosa, Iowa
Purdue Global’s simulation programs received the Healthcare Simulation Standards Endorsement from the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning.
Abbey Elliott, associate dean of innovation and wellness for Purdue Global’s School of Nursing, said the simulations, AI and VR expand the number and types of clinical experiences students can encounter.
“We take simulation beyond the walls of the simulation center,” Elliott said. “Students can enter that immersive clinical environment and interact with virtual patients, practice assessments, make those clinical decisions and then receive feedback on their experience.”
Purdue Global has integrated simulation experiences across its nursing degree programs, aligning them with course content and creating a simulation ecosystem along the way.
“Purdue Global’s use of simulation programs, virtual reality and AI technology helps our students build the confidence they need for their clinicals and working with patients,” said Marlo Robinson, dean and vice president of Purdue Global’s School of Nursing. “We have received positive feedback from our students that the simulations help prepare them for a variety of real-life experiences and develop and improve their assessment skills and critical thinking needed to care for our communities, all in a safe space.”
National leader highlights week with online presentation Sept. 17
Healthcare Simulation Week was established in 2017 to raise awareness of the importance of simulations as part of the overall healthcare delivery and education system.
In addition to local celebrations at the simulation centers, Purdue Global School of Nursing will host a special online event Thursday, Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. Eastern/noon Central.
Kellie Bryant, director of the Center for Innovation in Education Excellence at the National League for Nursing, will talk about her personal nursing journey. She will share her experiences with healthcare simulation and nursing education, as her career includes nursing education, simulation, innovation, AI, faculty development, virtual learning and emerging technologies.
About Purdue Global
Purdue Global is Purdue’s online university for working adults who have life experience and often some college credits. It offers flexible paths for students to earn an associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, military service and previous college credits, no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and backed by Purdue University. For more information, visit https://www.purdueglobal.edu.