The COVID-19 pandemic had profound impacts on nursing education in Oregon and across the country. As emergency declarations were implemented, many healthcare providers closed their facilities to students seeking clinical placements due to shortages of protective equipment, risks of further spread of COVID-19, and the ongoing burden on healthcare staff.

In response to these disruptions, the Oregon State Board of Nursing issued directives allowing nursing programs to increase the amount of clinical education that could be augmented with simulation so nursing students could continue their education during the pandemic while still gaining valid clinical experiences.

The use of simulation, both face-to-face and remote learning, provide opportunities to address specific challenges in clinical practice through realistic learning environments increasing learner knowledge and confidence while providing a safe space to practice before entering a clinical setting.

But how do the learning modalities compare, based on the opinions and perceptions of nursing faculty and nursing students? Read more in our 2023 report, Comparison of the Perception of Clinical Instruction: In-Facility, Face-to-Face Simulation, and Virtual Simulation Experiences in Oregon’s Nursing Programs.

Click below to download the full report. Or browse past nursing education research by the Oregon Center for Nursing.