Experiences of nursing students with virtual reality-based anatomy education in Korea: a qualitative content analysis
- Author:
Dallong HAN
1
;
Gyeong Ju AN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science 2025;27(1):157-167
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Purpose:This study explored the experiences of nursing students in Korea regarding virtual reality (VR)-based anatomy education.
Methods:A qualitative study was conducted with 103 first-year nursing students who had participated in immersive VR-based anatomy education. Nursing students wore head mounted displays and controllers, and performed VR-based practice for 10 minutes per student. The submitted materials were analyzed using the qualitative content analysis method developed by Elo and Kyngäs.
Results:The collected materials were classified into three themes, six categories, and 14 subcategories. Three themes are emerged: (1) amazing experiential learning about the human body, (2) challenges in VR-based anatomy education, and (3) expandability of VR-based anatomy education. These results showed that nursing students who participated in VR-based anatomy education experienced “amazing” experiential learning about the human body in this new approach, with the vividness and knowledge consolidation of VR. However, nursing students experienced challenges in VR-based anatomy education related to the unfamiliarity and limitations of VR. Furthermore, they experienced the expandability of VR-based anatomy education by strengthening learning motivation and new approach to nursing education.
Conclusion:This study will help in planning VR-based education in human anatomy by exploring the experiences of nursing students. It is suggested that VR-based education in human anatomy be expanded and implemented as part of regular anatomy practice within the curriculum rather than a one-time educational intervention.
