Virtual Reality Gives Nursing Students Safe Space to Practice

Nearly 900 nursing students at the University of Alberta have taken part in an immersive virtual reality pilot project that lets them practice clinical scenarios they might not encounter during regular training—from caring for patients with mpox to assisting mothers through labour.

When students step into the virtual hospital room, they experience scenarios that can go sideways quickly, situations where a real-world nursing student typically wouldn't be in charge. "This gives people the chance to practice that on their own and give their best swing at it, without any of the real-world consequences that could come with it," said Drew Owen, a nursing student who helped run the project.

The immersive virtual reality pilot ran from September 2025 to April 2026 and put students through nearly a dozen clinical scenarios. The technology doesn't require large amounts of space or equipment and lets students take part remotely. "You forget that you're in this space and you really feel like you're there in the hospital," Owen said.

Dr. Tracey Stephen, executive director of the Nursing Simulation Centre, said virtual reality focuses on critical thinking, clinical decision-making, and clinical judgment—letting students make decisions and prioritize care in real time. The Faculty of Nursing will expand the project for the next cohort of students starting in fall 2026, doubling the number of rooms and equipment available.