Exploring Students’ Perceptions of Cutting‐Edge Nursing Simulation: A Phenomenological Study

Introduction: Gap remains in understanding how students perceive the impact of simulations on their development of critical thinking skills and how their emotional well‐being is affected during high‐fidelity simulations. This gap occurs because little attention is paid to what students think about such specifics in learning activities. Aim: This study aimed to explore the strengths and weaknesses of simulation as perceived by students, with a focus on understanding the associated scenario design, emotional impact, and skills development. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted at a government university in central Saudi Arabia. Twenty nursing students participated in one‐to‐one interviews between November 2023 and January 2024. Results: Five themes and six subthemes emerged from the students’ verbatim accounts: (1) conceptual understanding (subtheme: preparation for real‐world practice), (2) development and refinement of clinical skills (subtheme: identifying weaknesses), (3) trepidation to triumph (subthemes: stepping outside the comfort zone and reframing difficulty), (4) technical and scenario limitations of advanced simulation (subtheme: gap between simulation and reality), and (5) yearning for the cutting edge (subtheme: interest in immersive learning technologies). Conclusion: Participants reported positive experiences, including increased confidence, skill development, and an improved understanding of complex clinical concepts. However, limitations such as unrealistic scenarios and technical difficulties were identified. This study emphasizes the potential of advanced technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality, to overcome these challenges and create more immersive and engaging learning experiences.