Nursing Students’ Experiences of Virtual and Hybrid Simulation in Gerontological Nursing: A Mixed-Methods Study

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the experiences of nursing students who took a clinical practicum in geriatric nursing through virtual and hybrid simulation. Methods: The study employed a mixed-method design. Participants in quantitative research were 94 nursing students (Virtual simulation group: 45, Hybrid simulation group: 49). Qualitative research was conducted with 4 focus groups (7 students per group). Quantitative data were analyzed using x² and t-test with SPSS/WIN 23.0. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. Results: The hybrid simulation group had significantly more interest in gerontological nursing (t=10.45, p=.002), sharing opinions (t=6.93, p=.010), and recognition of one’s own strengths and weaknesses (t=15.90, p<.001) than the virtual simulation group. The two simulation training experiences were shown in five themes: (1) space and relationship, (2) role differences as learners, (3) higher-order thinking skills, (4) embodied knowledge by acquisition, and (5) differences in perspectives on patients. Overall, the learning attitude according to the hybrid simulation was reported to be higher than that of the virtual simulation. Conclusion: This study is meaningful in that it suggests an effective method for nursing practice for older adults by comparing the experience of virtual simulation and hybrid simulation methods in clinical practice of gerontological nursing.