Table 1 Example of the structure of the virtual simulation sessions

Virtual patient in need of respiratory assessment (A&B) and appropriate nursing interventions

Three virtual patient cases available for as many encounters as the students wanted. One of these cases was marked as the selected case for the group simulation session

75 min group simulation with 8–12 students. Students were divided into active participants and observers throughout the session.

• 5–10 min intro and “small talk”

• 45–50 min virtual patient encounter and in-depth debriefing

• 5–10 min “finishing up” and “how did it go?”

Identify the patient’s resources, basic needs, and health condition by using a systematic approach and health assessment.

Perform basic physical assessment with focus on respiratory assessment.

Verbalize knowledge on characteristics of diseases related to elderly patients