References
Innovations in nurse education: creating the multisensory learning approach of The WISE Room
Abstract
Background:
Nursing students often face anxiety and cognitive overload, leading to high attrition rates; meanwhile, traditional pastoral interventions have proved insufficient. A novel, digitally enhanced learning environment named The Wellbeing in Student Education (WISE) Room, was introduced as an alternative at a UK university.
Aims:
This study investigated the impact of The WISE Room, a 4m × 4m digital platform containing touch-interactive walls, co-created with students and academic staff, designed to promote insight through immersive experiences beyond traditional learning settings.
Methods:
A mixed-methods approach was adopted, collecting data from nursing students, healthcare staff and academic faculty. Data were collected at three stages, each corresponding with the iterative development of The WISE Room, including an evaluation of the intervention.
Results:
Feedback from 240 participants was positive. In Phase 2 of the study, 93% of the 79 students and 21 staff who visited the room and completed a survey were satisfied with the room's suitability in three key areas: emotional wellbeing, academic readiness, and placement preparedness.
Conclusion:
The WISE Room has proved effective in supporting nursing students’ wellbeing, and educational and placement preparation requirements. Its multisensory, digital and experiential nature is beneficial for students throughout their learner journey. Additional trials and content development will be required to enhance the learning and teaching experience further.
Nursing students encounter significant challenges in assimilating theoretical knowledge and practical skills, often within varied sociocultural contexts. Navigating these complexities, especially while adhering to standards set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC, 2018), can be daunting. This is exacerbated by the strain on healthcare systems, such as that on the NHS, which impacts both educational and clinical experiences (Castro-Ayala et al, 2022). Similar scenarios are prevalent across global health care, highlighting the necessity for innovation in nursing education.
Educational institutions are increasingly recognising the need for novel approaches to support the wellbeing of nursing students. The high attrition rate in nurse education, as evidenced by Hamshire et al (2019), means that innovative educational strategies are needed from the outset of training. Meanwhile, digital educational technologies have shown promise in offering personalised and adaptable learning solutions. A study involving 480 nursing students (Urstad et al, 2021) underscored the value placed on visual and interactive digital resources. Despite this, the incorporation of these technologies in nursing education is still slow in emerging (Loureiro et al, 2021).
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