Bridging the Practice Gap with the Virtual Learning -Awareness and Readiness among the New Nursing Graduates

Background: The Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 focuses on advancing the nursing profession with an increasing number of Saudi nurses. New nurses face challenges with clinical competency during their transition phase. Virtual simulation is essential resource in nursing for a smooth transition into a practical setting. It enhances their confidence, competency, decision-making and critical thinking skills in clinical care. In KSA, the process of virtual simulation is at the beginning phase. Objective: The major goal of this study was to evaluate the awareness and readiness towards virtual learning among new nursing graduates. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among the new nurses who graduated from the University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The sample size was 156. A structured validated questionnaire was used to assess the awareness and readiness in Virtual simulation learning. Results: The participants reported high awareness of virtual simulation learning as the teaching method (Mean-84.92±12.68), Mean readiness score was (58.58±10.01). 71.5% of them reported high awareness, whereas only half of them (50.6%) of them were ready for the practice. Age, GPA, prior information, preference to apply and working area were significantly associated with awareness and readiness for the application of virtual simulation as part of clinical learning. Conclusion: Virtual learning is a promising tool, which helps to develop independent learning among the new nurses. The results of this study highlighted that the nurses are aware of the process and benefits of virtual learning. However, the readiness to apply in their practice is lacking. It is essential to identify the novice nurses expectations in successful implementation of this technology.