VR Training Boosts Nursing Scores, Cuts Costs

Research from Nightingale College, a distance-learning nursing school, revealed that virtual reality (VR) education leads to better academic outcomes and reduces training costs compared to traditional methods. Presented at the INACSL 25 Conference in June, the study showed nursing students using VR scored 5.9% higher on assignments and completed exams more efficiently. Learner scores increased significantly after VR training, with cost savings of up to 40% due to reduced time and facility needs.

The research also highlighted VR’s ability to eliminate geographic barriers for students in rural areas by removing the need for physical clinical sites. While some states are updating regulations to include VR training hours, others limit its use for licensing. Nightingale College, which began implementing VR during the pandemic, continues to expand its simulation programs and aims to improve nursing education access and address workforce shortages nationwide.