Preparing students for clinical placement using 360-video

Background The use of virtual reality technologies such as 360-video, can provide innovative and effective adjuncts to traditional simulation activities when teaching nursing students. This paper describes the use of a 360-video to prepare nursing students for an operating room placement. Methods This educational project involved a purposive sample of 42 undergraduate nursing students who watched a 360-video orientation to the operating room prior to clinical placement in a tertiary acute care setting. Data were collected regarding their perceptions of the value of the activity in preparing them for the unique and complex setting of the operating room. Results Quantitative and qualitative data analysis identified that students considered this a very positive experience; participants described the learning activity as immersive and valuable for learning while also reducing preplacement stress and anxiety. Participants who attended an actual operating room placement also acknowledged that the video would be useful in preparing them for the experience. Conclusion Technology such as 360-video is a valuable adjunct to traditional simulation activities, it can be used to create learning opportunities that are consistent, reproducible, and accessible outside of the usual classroom setting.