The University of Alberta’s Faculty of Nursing recently completed the first round of its VR-simulated nursing experience. Nearly 900 students participated in the pilot project, where they were able to explore a variety of nursing scenarios through virtual headsets. UAlberta Nursing Simulation Centre Executive Director Dr Tracey Stephen explained that minimal space and equipment requirements make clinical skills easier to obtain. “[Y]ou forget actually that you are basically in an empty room. You’re in an environment, you’re working with a patient, patient visitors, and all these different things are going on, and you have to think in real time,” said Stephen, adding that the project has received “overwhelming” positive feedback. The pilot has since expanded its capacity to prepare for Fall 2026.
