North Carolina Central University has expanded its educational opportunities for nursing students by offering clinical training through a virtual-reality hospital.
The new training platform, vrClinicals for Nursing, uses conversational AI to allow students to interact directly with virtual patients. The virtual clinic, created by Wolters Kluwer Health and Laerdal Medical, provides students with a realistic setting to learn necessary judgement, communication, and confidence skills as they transition from the classroom to direct patient-care.
“It is impossible to teach everything a new nurse will face on the job in the classroom alone. Technologies like VR and AI help bridge that gap by providing a flexible, immersive learning experience aligned with the curriculum,” said Tina Scott, director of experiential learning at the NCCU department of nursing. “At NCCU, where purpose takes flight, we equip our students with the skills and confidence to excel in this people-focused profession. VR simulation enhances learning, ensuring they feel prepared to care for patients before entering a clinical setting.”
