EFFECTIVENESS OF VIRTUAL REALITY SIMULATION

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of VRS on decision-making skills, self-confidence levels, and anxiety of psychiatric nursing students. Students participating in the study will be divided into two groups: intervention and control groups. VRS, which includes a scenario of a patient with schizophrenia, will be applied to the intervention group at the beginning of the academic term, before students start clinical practice, and in the middle of the term. The control group will be subjected to theoretical courses and clinical practice. Data will be collected using the Clinical Decision-Making, Self-Confidence, and Anxiety Scale, Personal Information Form, and Modified Simulation Effectiveness Tool. Measurements will be performed at three time points: before the simulation, in the middle of the academic term, and at the end of the academic term. In addition, debriefing sessions will be held with students participating in VRS in groups of 4-5 within the scope of the simulation process. It is expected that the findings obtained as a result of the study will make significant contributions to the literature in understanding the effects of VRS on psychiatric nursing education. At the same time, this study aims to demonstrate that this VRS, designed specifically for the Turkish language and culture, can be an effective tool to increase the self-confidence levels of psychiatric nursing students in their clinical decision-making processes and to reduce their anxiety levels within the scope of the psychiatric nursing course. The results of the study are intended to guide the development of new approaches to the use of technology in psychiatric nursing education and the integration of technology-based VRS into the psychiatric nursing curriculum.