Abstract

Introduction: Nursing education, as a cornerstone of healthcare systems, continuously seeks innovative approaches to enhance the quality of learning and clinical skills among students. One such method involves the utilization of simulated learning environments that provide students with opportunities to practice clinical skills in near-real-world conditions. Simulation, as an educational tool, aids students in learning clinical processes within a controlled environment without endangering actual patients
Materials & Methods: This research employed a systematic review methodology, synthesizing specific characteristics and factors from the research literature. The population of this study comprised all reputable scholarly articles and theses on virtual simulation in nursing education. Through a systematic search of databases such as PubMed, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, Eric, Springer, CINAHL, Scopus, and Google Scholar, 116 articles and theses were initially identified. Based on inclusion criteria, 69 articles and theses were ultimately selected for final analysis.
Results: Upon analyzing the collected data and examining relevant documents and research in this field, 10 primary categories emerged. The key components identified include: improvement of learning quality and development of student competencies, teamwork, communication, and leadership skills, development of clinical, practical, and professional competencies, transfer of learning, creation of effective and innovative learning environments, development of clinical skills and decision-making, development of clinical reasoning and critical thinking in clinical settings, improvement of patient safety, development of cognitive skills and problem-solving in clinical education, and improvement of mental health and clinical performance in educational environments.
Conclusion: In conclusion, this comprehensive and systematic review, grounded in a systematic synthesis approach, clearly demonstrates that simulated learning environments play a pivotal and decisive role in nursing education by providing unparalleled opportunities for active and interactive learning.