A free virtual reality (VR) learning system for nursing education, which was pioneered by University of Galway, has been launched by Minister Hildegarde Naughton.
Funded through the ERASMUS+ programme, the ViReTrain project offers nursing students and educators immersive eLearning experiences, preparing them for the complex demands of healthcare delivery.
With a focus on authentic, complex scenarios in virtual reality, the project is an innovative teaching strategy for academics and faculty working in nursing education.
ViReTrain is unique in the emerging field of VR technology in the education of health professionals with the technology and VR scenarios being made available free of charge to nurse educators and their students.
ViReTrain draws on expertise of researchers in a European higher education partnership – University of Galway; FH Muenster in Germany; Via University College in Aarhus, Denmark; and the University of Turku in Finland, which partnered with a software company, Ingenious Knowledge GmbH (Germany).
ViReTrain’s virtual reality simulations mirror nursing care in practice, where students can practice clinical skills, use the nursing process, employ critical thinking skills, make informed decisions, and take actions that address individual patient needs.
Each scenario is tied to specific learning outcomes, encompassing both technical and non-technical skills.
Government Chief Whip and Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton said that the ViReTrain virtual reality education for nurses is a remarkable step towards the future of healthcare education.
“By combining cutting-edge technology with a commitment to excellence, this project ensures that nurses will be even better prepared to deliver high-quality, safe and exceptional care to patients,” she said.
“Adopting this type of technology and opportunity for learning is both innovative and accessible and aligns with our commitment to improving healthcare standards and fostering international collaboration, further advancing our nation’s healthcare system.”
Professor Martin O’Donnell, Executive Dean of the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science at University of Galway, said that by immersing students in authentic, complex scenarios ViReTrain “cultivates critical thinking, decision-making, and technical expertise crucial for delivering patient-centered care.”
“This innovative initiative not only enhances the quality of clinical nursing education but also underscores our commitment to fostering international collaboration and advancing healthcare standards.
“We are proud to lead this ground-breaking effort and make this transformative learning experience freely accessible to nursing educators and students, furthering our dedication to excellence in healthcare education.”
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