Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL), a provider of information, software and services for professionals announced on Wednesday that Wolters Kluwer Health and Laerdal Medical, a provider of training, educational and therapy products, have officially introduced vrClinicals for Nursing, a virtual reality (VR) learning solution designed to address gaps in nursing education and the nursing workforce.

A collaboration with leading university nursing programs has resulted in the development of vrClinicals for Nursing, which allows students to experience realistic multi-patient scenarios and challenges encountered in a busy hospital ward. The solution goes beyond the limitations of real-life clinical practice and offers opportunities for students to rehearse clinical reasoning skills. Nursing schools such as Villanova University, Indiana University and University of Virginia were involved in testing the vrClinicals for Nursing program.

The launch of vrClinicals for Nursing aims to reduce the unpreparedness of new nurses, which has reportedly led to high dissatisfaction and medical errors. With VR technology, nursing students can build and practice the necessary skills required for clinical practice decision-making, including prioritizing multiple patients and managing competing care demands. The scalable nature of these new technologies allows entire student cohorts to participate in multi-patient scenarios and receive immediate feedback from instructors. This VR-based learning solution also prepares students for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which now focuses on evaluating clinical judgment skills.

Wolters Kluwer added that vrClinicals for Nursing not only enhances the transition from education to practice but also aids in preparing students for the Next Generation NCLEX exam. By better preparing nurses for real-life jobs, the solution aims to increase clinical confidence, job satisfaction and ultimately improve patient care.