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Coventry University aims to improve nurses' digital literacy skills

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March 16, 2022

In collaboration with Nursing Now Challenge members, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital, MILCOT Uganda and Children's Health Ireland, Coventry University will create and implement a Virtual Simulated Nursing Placement to improve the digital literacy skills of early career nurses and midwives, according to a company press release.

VSPs are virtual environments created to simulate healthcare scenarios, recreating challenging situations. The placement will help develop leadership skills among nurses, with a specific focus on digital leadership for early-career nurses.

Those taking part will get performance feedback and enhance their digital literacy skills.

Nursing Now Challenge participants from Cincinnati Children's Hospital, MILCOT Uganda and Children's Health Ireland will be the first to pilot the placement, with the hope of one day offering exchange opportunities to nurses having completed the VSP.

"We are delighted to add this VSP to the vast eco-system of support that we offer to our members," Professor Lisa Bayliss-Pratt, program director, Nursing Now Challenge, said in the release. "We hope this project will facilitate and improve global partnerships and placement opportunities for early-career nurses and midwives around the world."

Coventry University Assistant Professor (Health Simulation) Abbie Green, who is leading the project, said: "We are excited to be collaborating with organizations such as Cincinnati Children's Hospital, MILCOT Uganda and Children's Health Ireland to develop this Simulated Virtual Nursing Placement, helping to provide early-career nurses across the world with leadership and digital skills.

"In addition to this placement, Coventry University is also currently developing a VSP to train nurses in Indonesia, creating realistic environments and situations to prepare participants for the challenges they may face in the course of their vital work."

Coventry University specializes in research in the area of digital healthcare.