Students at a Baltimore college have a secret weapon to better position and prepare themselves for nursing jobs, according to a published report.
Second Life, a technologically advanced virtual 3-D instruction method, is in use at Johns Hopkins University, the JHU Gazette reports. It provides simulated scenarios that permit the practice of real-life situations while leaving behind the stress, tension and anxiety of working on living human beings.
"Simulation has been used to train and instruct several high-risk occupations, so it stands to reason that nurses would incorporate that technology to teach our teachers," lead investigator Jodi Shaefer told the publication. "It also affords faculty the opportunity to experience various learning situations."
With a $664,000 funding grant, the school of nursing and The Johns Hopkins Hospital will develop and test run six core orientation modules that are estimated to be done by June 2012. Those modules ultimately will be implemented at nursing schools and hospitals nationwide from June 2012 to June 2014.
Founded in 1889, the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing touts itself as a global leader for research, education and scholarship. In 2011, the school awarded 255 undergraduate and 105 graduate degrees.