Virtual learning environment for pediatric nursing education
Abstract
Background: Within an Erasmus+ funded program, an interactive Virtual Reality Learning Environment (VRLE), the “Virtual Children’s Hospital,” was developed to enhance pediatric nursing education. Caring for children, adolescents, and families requires specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The VRLE supports pediatric nursing competence development through immersive, self-paced learning and structured educational content in a safe digital environment, incorporating innovative teaching practices and simulation-based learning.
Methods: A descriptive pilot study was conducted. The VRLE includes a virtual pediatric hospital, 4 study modules, educational material including videos, 3D models, and interactive tests. Further, simulations with interactive avatars, innovative teaching approaches, and practical procedures, enabling flexible and collaborative learning across countries. A Likert-scale questionnaire evaluated participants’ perceptions of content, accessibility, relevance, and usability.
Results: Pilot testing involved 60 undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the Pediatric Nursing course and 9 educators from Finland, Cyprus, and Estonia. Students’ median “at least good” ratings combining modules, simulations, and VRLE were 68.8% (Content), 64.6% (Relevance), 65.5% (Accessibility), and 60.2% (Usability). Educators rated the platform considerably higher: Content 83.3%, Relevance 100%, Accessibility 100%, and Usability 77.8%. Both groups showed strong agreement in Relevance and Accessibility, confirming the platform’s clinical applicability. Usability was the lowest-rate domain for both groups.
Conclusions: The VRLE demonstrates strong acceptance among nursing students and educators, confirming its potential as an innovative and clinically relevant pedagogical tool. Improving usability through simplified navigation and enhanced interactivity will maximize its potential for nursing education and pediatric clinical practice across Europe.
Key messages: • The “Virtual Children’s Hospital” VRLE demonstrates acceptance among nursing students and educators, offering an effective, safe, immersive environment for pediatric nursing competence development.
• International pilot findings highlight the potential of VRLE-based simulation to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life pediatric clinical practice in European nursing programs.
Related
- Technology-Enriched High-Fidelity Simulation in Nursing Education: Learning Effectiveness and Mediating Model.
- Digital transformation in higher scientific education: The roles of virtual simulation, AI-assisted learning, and blended teaching
- A micro-learning-based education program about the principles of physical restraint using a mobile application and nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and performance regarding physical restraint for the elderly
- General self-efficacy, self-confidence, and satisfaction in simulation-based nursing education: a structural equation modeling and mediation analysis
- Ability of clinical assessment methods to differentiate levels of competence in undergraduate nursing education: a scoping review protocol.
BibTeX
@article{nicolaou2026virtual,
title = {{Virtual learning environment for pediatric nursing education}},
author = {C Nicolaou and J Menikou and K Michail and N Middleton and O Kolokotroni and P Matikainen and K Vesanen and M Toivonen and S Läänelaid and A Kõrve-Noorkõiv},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1234},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1234},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Virtual learning environment for pediatric nursing education
AU - C Nicolaou
AU - J Menikou
AU - K Michail
AU - N Middleton
AU - O Kolokotroni
AU - P Matikainen
AU - K Vesanen
AU - M Toivonen
AU - S Läänelaid
AU - A Kõrve-Noorkõiv
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1234
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1234
AB - Background: Within an Erasmus+ funded program, an interactive Virtual Reality Learning Environment (VRLE), the “Virtual Children’s Hospital,” was developed to enhance pediatric nursing education. Caring for children, adolescents, and families requires specialized knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The VRLE supports pediatric nursing competence development through immersive, self-paced learning and structured educational content in a safe digital environment, incorporating innovative teaching practices and simulation-based learning. Methods: A descriptive pilot study was conducted. The VRLE includes a virtual pediatric hospital, 4 study modules, educational material including videos, 3D models, and interactive tests. Further, simulations with interactive avatars, innovative teaching approaches, and practical procedures, enabling flexible and collaborative learning across countries. A Likert-scale questionnaire evaluated participants’ perceptions of content, accessibility, relevance, and usability. Results: Pilot testing involved 60 undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the Pediatric Nursing course and 9 educators from Finland, Cyprus, and Estonia. Students’ median “at least good” ratings combining modules, simulations, and VRLE were 68.8% (Content), 64.6% (Relevance), 65.5% (Accessibility), and 60.2% (Usability). Educators rated the platform considerably higher: Content 83.3%, Relevance 100%, Accessibility 100%, and Usability 77.8%. Both groups showed strong agreement in Relevance and Accessibility, confirming the platform’s clinical applicability. Usability was the lowest-rate domain for both groups. Conclusions: The VRLE demonstrates strong acceptance among nursing students and educators, confirming its potential as an innovative and clinically relevant pedagogical tool. Improving usability through simplified navigation and enhanced interactivity will maximize its potential for nursing education and pediatric clinical practice across Europe. Key messages: • The “Virtual Children’s Hospital” VRLE demonstrates acceptance among nursing students and educators, offering an effective, safe, immersive environment for pediatric nursing competence development. • International pilot findings highlight the potential of VRLE-based simulation to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life pediatric clinical practice in European nursing programs.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -