New Research Offers Insight Into Virtual Simulation and Practice Readiness
New research published online in the Journal of Professional Nursing explores the role of virtual simulation in supporting advanced practice nursing student learning and practice readiness.
The SUNSRG III-funded study from Texas Woman’s University included 78 family nurse practitioner students in their first clinical practicum. 54 students completed five Sentinel U® Advanced Practice Series™ simulations, while 24 students served as a comparison group.
Encouraging Signs for Practice Readiness
Preceptor ratings did not differ significantly between groups; however, students who completed Sentinel U simulations had higher mean scores on virtually all competency indicators. Qualitative preceptor feedback also characterized these learners as more confident and clinically prepared, noting strengths in areas such as initiative, clinical judgment, professionalism, rapport, and clinical reasoning.
Students reported that the virtual simulations were authentic and educationally valuable, particularly for diagnostic reasoning, decision-making, learning, and competency development. Students also rated their actual clinical experiences more highly, reinforcing the role of virtual simulation as a complement to hands-on clinical learning.
Findings Point to Areas for Further Examination
Performance data identified meaningful learner gaps across patient populations, with stronger results in adult and pediatric simulations and lower scores in gerontology and women’s health. These differences suggest a need to continue examining whether additional scaffolding, exposure, or deliberate practice may be beneficial in those areas.
The research also provided insight into where learners may benefit from additional practice. Across encounter domains, Billing was the strongest area at 88.2% of the maximum score, while Inquiry was the weakest at 56.5%. The researchers identified assessment, history-taking, and focused questioning as areas warranting additional instructional emphasis.
Realistic Simulation as a Complement to Clinical Experience
Together, the findings provide encouraging evidence around authenticity, competency development, clinical reasoning, and practice readiness, while also helping identify areas where learners may need additional support. These insights support Sentinel U’s continued focus on realistic simulation experiences that complement clinical education and provide opportunities to strengthen essential skills through deliberate practice.
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