Teaching nursing to rural high schoolers? Virtual reality makes it possible

The Jan. 30 edition of the Minnesota Star Tribune spotlighted SCSC's High-STEP CNA program, which is now using Virtual Reality headsets to help students become certified nursing assistants.

The High-STEP CNA program was established to help combat a dire shortage of nursing in the state. SCSC's Amanda Bell, who manages the program, said in the article: "Smaller school districts often don’t have the staff to teach specialized skills such as nursing. And some of the students in the program, such as those in the Maple River School District 20 miles south of Mankato, have had to drive about an hour for in-person training."

I have students where it’s not feasible for them to drive to an onsite location to practice their hands-on skills,” Bell said. “Being able to provide VR as a form of practice for them allows that kind of access that they otherwise wouldn’t have.”

Read the full article here or view the PDF