Background

An aging population poses significant challenges to healthcare systems. Several European countries already lack qualified nursing personnel, and this shortage is expected to worsen in the coming years. Limited resources and outdated nursing education methods further exacerbate the situation. Modern technologies such as XR (Extended Reality) show great potential for improving training and helping to build and sustain a larger nursing workforce. However, the effectiveness of XR in health-care teaching is not yet well studied. Consequently, there is a pressing need for research to find out where and how XR can most effectively support nursing training.

Project Content

In NextGen Nurse we develop a proof of concept for an XR-based training approach – after identifying with nursing educators the most suitable technology (AR, VR, MR). The prototype is tested not only with nursing students and educators but also in nursing settings. Working together with our target groups ensures that we meet expectations and create a viable solution with an actual impact on nursing education. We seek to familiarize target groups with the possibilities of modern technologies in healthcare and healthcare education and convince them of the benefits they provide. A solid understanding of XR technologies is essential for users to feel comfortable integrating them into teaching and training.

Goals

The most important aims and steps of NextGen Nurse are listed below:

• Investigate XR’s role in nursing education, whether it can improve access to trainings and where it can be useful add-on.
• Train 30 nursing educators, giving them an understanding of XR, which allows them to assess the educational value of the technology and the scope of application. After the training Educators should be able to implement XR-based teaching methods on their own.
• Teach 70 nursing students competencies in XR training methods.
• Engage ten additional institutions, sharing our insights and best practices regarding XR in nursing education and training.

Impact and Results

NextGen Nurse introduces extended reality (XR)-based learning to the healthcare sector on a broader scale than before. Using a structured, research-driven approach ensures that the requirements for successful adoption and implementation are met. This approach also makes immersive learning methodologies scalable, transferable, and adaptable. A core aim of our efforts is to familiarise both educators and students with the possibilities of XR and enable them to adapt the technology to their needs and daily routines. The project’s international network gives the results broad impact and represents a first step towards establishing a European standard for XR-based nursing training. Overall, the project helps address the growing need for nurses and other healthcare professionals.