Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted clinical practicums for nursing students, especially in mental health nursing, resulting in cancellations due to infection risks. In response, online and VR simulations emerged as appealing alternatives that cater to the preferences of digital-native learners. This study aimed to evaluate a VR-based mental health nursing simulation program. Methods: The study utilized a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design and was conducted within nursing education institutions. Fifty-four fourth-year nursing students, who had theoretical knowledge but lacked clinical experience, participated after providing informed consent. The program consisted of six thematic modules that simulated real-world scenarios, and its effectiveness was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The findings revealed significant improvements in knowledge related to mental health disorders, learning flow, and overall satisfaction. The program successfully bridged the gap between theoretical and practical learning, enhancing students' skills and confidence in patient interactions and therapeutic nursing interventions. Conclusion: The simulation education program effectively served as a bridge between theoretical learning and practical application, providing students with a valuable educational experience. By improving students' abilities and confidence in engaging with patients and delivering therapeutic nursing interventions, the program demonstrated its potential to connect classroom learning with real-world clinical practice in mental health nursing.

Key Words: Virtual reality; Simulation training; Psychiatry; Nursing

https://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2024.33.4.431