Virtual simulation studies in nursing education: A bibliometric analysis of the top 100 cited studies, 2021

Bibliometrics is an emerging science in nursing. Quantitative methods were used to conduct a bibliometric analysis of highly cited virtual simulation nursing education articles to describe rank order, breadth of topics and authorship patterns. A desktop analysis of publication performance was conducted using the Scopus database as the source of article citation data. The top 100 cited articles clustered over 14-years, 2008 to 2021. Citations per paper ranged from 88 to a low of 3 (median 18, mean 22.1) and in the top 10 studies, from 88 to 41. The citation trajectory was moderately correlated with article maturity (r = −0.384, p ≤0.001). Article citations in subsequent publications commenced the first year after publication and three-year-old papers reached the mean citation rate of 22. Nurse Education Today was the most cited journal. There was no significant impact of article type (72% primary research, 17% literature reviews, 11% descriptive papers) (p = 0.755). International representation was strong, as first authors in 21 countries were cited – many (43%) from USA. One highly cited author (M. Verkuyl) from Canada led six papers, with six other authors each leading two studies. Virtual simulation modalities included virtual simulation, virtual reality simulation, 3D virtual reality simulation, virtual games and virtual worlds. The top 10 articles offer a diverse resource for faculty and educators who wish to consider using virtual simulation. Virtual simulation studies in nursing education cover an emerging field of research that has relatively low citation rates. Nursing researchers and faculty need to understand the usefulness and limitations of bibliometric analysis as this methodology can make a unique contribution to research, policy, and funding decisions, and enable productivity assessments of faculty staff and departments. •Bibliometrics is a novel quantitative evaluation method.•Bibliometrics analysis identifies leaders in specific disciplinary fields.•Our results may benefit uptake of virtual simulation in nursing

Nursing faculty perceptions of a virtual reality catheter insertion game: A multisite international study

Faculty and nursing professionals participated in a usability study of a second-generation Virtual Reality Sterile Urinary Catheter Insertion Game (VR SUCIG). Background: Faculty are key decision makers in acquiring technologies that lead to learning and retention of psychomotor skills in nursing. Methods: Fourty-six nursing faculty and professionals from 8 US and 1 Australian nursing school participated. Participants played the VR SUCIG and completed the System Usability Scale (SUS) and a User Reaction Survey. Results: The SUS for the second generation of the VR SUCIG was 47, or low-medium usability. User reactions were mixed. Participants stated the game was fun, challenging, and engaging, but were frustrated with technical issues, and did not enjoy learning to function in the virtual environment. Conclusions. Nursing faculty and professionals had mixed reactions to the VR SUCIG. Further game refinement is needed