U of Regina opens VR nursing lab for students

REGINA – Nursing students at the University of Regina now have access to realistic on-the-job scenarios using virtual reality. The new VR lab has six simulation stations, headsets, storage and charging systems, with staff to help develop scenarios and operate the systems.

“Through this technology, students can engage in realistic scenarios, build confidence and develop the critical thinking and decision-making skills they will need in practice,” said Robin Evans (pictured), interim dean of the faculty of nursing.

For years, nursing students from U of R have visited Saskatchewan Polytechnic to use their VR equipment. Now, they can stay on the university campus.

Some students have been able to test the new lab since its completion in December.

Like Lexie Tondevold, who is going into her fourth year, was one of them.

“It was a nice way to get into those high-risk scenarios that you might not have a chance [at] doing [in] regular clinicals, but safely, without actually injuring any patients,” she told CBC News.

“It’s nice to get comfortable with those high risk-scenarios because you’re not going to always get a chance to experience those things in the hospital and it’s better to get a rough idea of it now than to just get thrown into it later.”

One of the simulations involved childbirth, she said.

“We had a patient who was postpartum and [it was] just cool ways to kind of do care for that, because you might not get a chance to get it in the hospital.”

Evans said the safe environment is a key feature of the lab.

“Importantly, these simulations provide a safe, controlled environment where students can learn, make decisions, and debrief their experiences, with support.”

Evans said the VR also counts toward clinical marks and experience.

“The increased use of VR allows for up to 25 percent of clinical hours in a course to be completed through simulation. This also helps to ease pressure on our clinical placements … because we have a fair number of students between all the programs that are for all the different kinds of nurses in the province,” she said.

It’s all part of a collaborative nursing program offered jointly by U of R and Sask. Polytech, said Last Mountain-Touchwood MLA Travis Keisig, who attended a media event at the lab Thursday on behalf of the government. “These collaborative programs have a proven track record of success.”