Mastering Protocols and Communication in VR Before Becoming a Real Nurse: Michael’s Story

Key takeaways: 

• With no risk to actual patients in VR, Michael was able to make and learn from mistakes, reinforcing proper protocols and critical thinking.
• UbiSim’s platform provided opportunities to practice not just procedures, but also patient and family communication—a vital part of nursing.
• VR simulations gave fellow students the confidence to apply their skills in real clinical settings.

Building Confidence with VR Simulation

At Bow Valley, Michael was introduced to UbiSim’s virtual reality platform. “It put you in a place where you had to figure out what to do before entering the field 100%,” he says. From COPD scenarios to administering oxygen, the simulations offered safe, repeatable practice in clinical decision-making.

One standout moment was learning to communicate with patients and family members during simulations. “You're not just focused on the patient,” Michael recalls. “You’re also communicating with the family member with them—that’s a big part of nursing.”

For Michael, this safe, immersive environment helped build confidence. “You’re giving them medication, communicating with the patient, and just being in VR—where you’re in the room virtually, but not physically there,” he explains. “The patient isn’t going to die. They’re not going to get harmed by you. I found it really helpful because it helped me understand how to follow proper protocols.”

Easing Clinical Anxiety with Practice

While Michael didn’t feel overly anxious entering clinical settings—thanks to his background in healthcare—he noticed many of his peers did. “Many people I shared classes with were anxious about simulation and clinicals,” he says.

UbiSim’s VR simulations helped alleviate that anxiety by offering realistic, low-stakes practice. “Talking to a patient in VR really helped,” he recalls. “It gave students a chance to figure out how to communicate with the patient before doing it in real life.”

Practicing SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) communication was especially effective. “We’d have to call a doctor or charge nurse and explain what was happening. I think that helped people feel more prepared,” Michael says.

Real-World Readiness

Michael credits both UbiSim and clinical placements with boosting his confidence. By the fourth term, he says things finally clicked: “It was like, my patient's declining—what do I do? And everything came back to me without me even thinking.” He particularly appreciated the realism of tasks like taking vitals, assessing edema, and managing medications, noting that repetition and exam prep helped him internalize key skills.

A Future in Functional Medicine—with Empathy

Now preparing for job interviews, Michael reflects on how far he’s come. He describes himself as “empathetic, high-energy, and supportive,” qualities he honed through years of prior experience and reinforced during his nursing training. “I can help patients feel like they’re in good hands,” he says.

Advice to Future Students 

“Just jump in,” Michael urges future students who might feel intimidated by VR or the intensity of nursing school. “Even if you don’t realize it at the time, VR will build your confidence later on.”