Mental health case-based simulation and virtual learning environments in mental health pre-registration nursing education

Virtual Learning Environments (VLE) have been widely adopted as a teaching and learning strategy for pre-registration in nursing education in Australia. The transition from traditional models of learning, towards the utilization of Web 2.0 technologies in online nursing education, has required nurse academics to adapt their teaching methods. This paper will demonstrate how case-based simulations can be incorporated into the VLE, and how students achieve learning outcomes in a mental health nursing unit of study. A semester long case-based learning activity, featuring common mental health problems, required students to work collaboratively in the roles of nurses and clients. The wiki was used to develop these roles and to build individualized mental health assessment and care plans culminating in a portfolio reporting on the comprehensive mental health care of the client. Students used a variety of communication tools to develop their portfolios, including blogs, chat rooms and forums. Additional virtual tools were developed to simulate the clinical environment, including virtual treatment room and a virtual filing cabinet which contained clinical documents such as MH-OAT. Professional development seminars about therapeutic interventions were vodcast and added authenticity to the simulation experience. Learning was achieved using a blend of simulations and activities in the VLE. The outcomes will be discussed and 'screen-shot' examples will be used to illustrate the discussion. A wiki will be used to develop and deliver this paper. This will provide a real-life insight into the look and feel of a VLE and will highlight the usefulness of Web 2.0 in the educational preparation of preregistration nurses in regard to mental health nursing.