Using Virtual Simulation to Teach Community Health Nursing Students About Public Health Nursing

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of a community/public health nursing virtual simulation. Design: Mixed-methods study. Methods: Sample (N = 121) consisted of community health nursing students, who completed a pretest, virtual simulation, posttest, and satisfaction and self-confidence in learning scale. Findings: Majority of participants' scores increased from pretest to posttest, and most participants agreed or strongly agreed with statements regarding satisfaction and self-confidence in learning; material learned and found most helpful, as well as knowledge application/utilization plans for practice were revealed. Conclusions: Community/public health nursing virtual simulation was effective at increasing participants' knowledge, and satisfaction and self-confidence in learning. Clinical Evidence: Virtual simulation is a strategy to improve students' knowledge of community/public health nursing.