Junghee Kim, Minji Kim
The metaverse-based simulation was effective in enhancing disaster preparedness and self-efficacy among nursing students, particularly for competencies related to the disaster recovery phase. These findings support the integration of metaverse-based simulation into nursing curricula.
BACKGROUND: Disaster nursing education has traditionally emphasized the response phase with limited focus on recovery. Simulation-based education, including the use of metaverse platforms, can address this gap.
OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a metaverse-based disaster nursing simulation program targeting the recovery phase among pre-registration nursing students.
DESIGN: Quasi-experimental, non-equivalent control group design.
SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Third- and fourth-year nursing students from three colleges in the Republic of Korea (n = 76).
METHODS: Both groups attended a disaster nursing lecture. The experimental group participated in a metaverse-based simulation, while the control group reviewed lecture handouts. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured disaster readiness, attitudes, disaster nursing competencies, and self-directed learning efficacy.
RESULTS: Compared to the control group, the experimental group showed significantly greater improvements in disaster readiness (p = .002), self-efficacy (p < .001), and perceived importance of disaster nursing education (p = .044). Satisfaction with metaverse-based education was high (mean = 4.57/5).
CONCLUSIONS: The metaverse-based simulation was effective in enhancing disaster preparedness and self-efficacy among nursing students, particularly for competencies related to the disaster recovery phase. These findings support the integration of metaverse-based simulation into nursing curricula.