EdTech Connect | Episode Summary
Christy Heid: How VR Simulation is Transforming Nursing Education
Host: Jeff Dillon
Guest: Dr. Christy Heid, Nursing Simulation Specialist at UBISIM
Date: December 19, 2025
Episode Overview
In this episode, Jeff Dillon sits down with Dr. Christy Heid, a seasoned nurse educator and simulation specialist at UBISIM—a leading provider of VR simulation tools for nursing education. Together, they explore how virtual reality (VR), simulation, and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming the readiness of new nurses, bridging the gap between education and the evolving needs of the healthcare workforce. The discussion dives into practical challenges, innovative teaching strategies, case studies, and a future-focused outlook on immersive technology's role in nursing programs nationwide.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Christy Heid’s Path to Nursing Education and UBISIM
- Personal Origin Story: Christy’s passion for nursing and education was inspired by her grandmother, who encouraged her to "really make a difference in others' lives." (02:26)
- Her mission: improve the experience of new nurses and extend her impact through educating the next generation.
2. UBISIM’s Nurse-led Mission and Standards
- Nurse-Led Ethos: UBISIM is “built by nurses for nurses,” centering the platform on real needs of the profession. (03:29)
- UBISIM’s platform adheres to best practice standards, the NCLEX test plan, and the clinical judgment model, ensuring alignment with industry and regulatory requirements.
3. The Day-One Readiness Gap in Nursing
- Key Research: Recent UBISIM report shows 65% of hospital leaders feel new grads aren't “day-one ready.” (04:28)
- "Nursing education and employer expectations don't always match. We have this academic practice gap." — Christy (04:41)
- The evolving complexity of healthcare impressions the necessity for hands-on, AI-ready skills.
4. Pressing Skills for New Nurses & Simulation’s Role
- Most Pressing Competency: Clinical judgment is repeatedly cited as the hardest skill to develop quickly, yet the most essential.
- “It’s something that takes much longer to develop... clinical judgment is at the heart of everything we do at UBISIM.” — Christy (06:00)
- VR lets students safely make mistakes and apply clinical reasoning in simulated contexts.
- Other critical areas: interdisciplinary collaboration, time management, and AI-assisted charting.
5. AI as a Necessity in Nursing Education
- AI Integration: The role of AI is rapidly expanding, particularly in charting/documentation tasks.
- “Adoption of AI is rising quickly in hospitals: 69% of leaders said it's now considered essential—up from 26% three years ago.” — Christy (07:53)
- AI frees up more bedside time and addresses documentation backlogs, positioning nurses to deliver better, more focused care.
6. Defining “Applied Readiness” in Nursing
- Simulation’s “Unsung Hero” Role:
- Simulation creates exposure to complex, risky, or rare scenarios, enhancing safety and confidence.
- "Simulation... allows you to make mistakes and learn from them... and that's really what we're doing—to enhance safety and build confidence and competence in our nurses." — Christy (10:15)
- VR is emerging as indispensable as “mannequin-based simulations” or live role-play.
7. Solving Clinical Site, Faculty, and Budget Limitations
- VR’s Efficiency & Scalability:
- Simulation can safely replace up to 50% of clinical education—at substantial cost and staff savings.
- “We can go all over the world and be in the same room... reducing the number of faculty needed, and resource constraints.” — Christy (13:36)
- VR brings simulation to the learner, overcoming logistical and resource barriers.
8. Case Study: Grand Ronde Hospital, Oregon
- Success Story:
- Small rural hospital adopted UBISIM for nurse residency. Resulted in a 96% nurse retention rate.
- “The nurses themselves asked for UBISIM... They can jump into a sim when they have 30 minutes... those refreshers have really made a difference.” — Christy (15:17)
9. The Balance: Simulation vs. Live Clinical Experience
- Blended Approach:
- “It depends on the objectives... We choose based upon the needs of the group and the objectives, not the tech for its own sake.” — Christy (16:53)
- VR supplements, not replaces, live experiences—enabling flexibility, accessibility, and tailored learning.
10. Ensuring Authentic Skill-Building in VR
- Realistic Scenarios:
- Product nurses and subject matter experts ensure every simulation closely mirrors real clinical environments.
- “The moment I put it on... I was like, oh my goodness, here’s my patient. I’m at the bedside. This is home for a nurse.” — Christy (18:05)
11. Trends: Hospital-School Partnerships & Microcredentials
- Integration & Collaboration:
- 90% of healthcare systems are exploring “co-branded microcredential programs” with nursing schools.
- “Immersive VR bridges that gap... a huge shift in how hospitals are thinking about workforce pipelines.” — Christy (19:57)
12. Getting “Future Ready”: Christy’s Advice for Educators
- Three Priorities:
- Embrace Technology & AI: “Don’t be afraid to investigate... AI is here to stay; it’s just what’s it going to help us do next?”
- Invest in Experiential Learning: Especially as clinical placement options diminish, simulation will drive readiness and safety.
- Seek Multiple Perspectives & Collaborate: “Look beyond our individual area of expertise... Nursing is a team sport, nobody plays alone.” (21:23)
13. The Next Three Years: Vision for AI & VR
- Future Outlook:
- VR and AI will become an integrated, personalized “coach or mentor” for every learner.
- Human skills remain irreplaceable, but technology will drive more individualized, goal-directed education.
- “It’s not just individualized, it’s personalized and goal directed.” — Christy (24:16)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Clinical judgment is at the heart of everything we do at UBISIM.” — Christy (06:00)
- “Simulation... lets you make mistakes and learn from them... and that's really what we're doing, to enhance safety and build the confidence and competence in our nurses.” — Christy (10:15)
- “Adoption of AI is rising quickly in hospitals: 69% of leaders said it's now considered essential.” — Christy (07:53)
- “We can go all over the world and be in the same room taking care of the same person in VR... you simply can’t do that in your physical simulation space.” — Christy (13:36)
- "Nursing is a team sport. Nobody plays alone." — Christy (23:43)
- “It’s not just individualized, it’s personalized and goal directed.” — Christy (24:16)
- “I feel like educators and ed tech leaders really need to start having a bigger conversation... to create the future of that educational experience.” — Christy (25:41)
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- Christy’s Journey and Early Motivation: 02:26
- UBISIM’s Nurse-Led Design: 03:43
- Day-One Readiness Gap in Research: 04:28
- Pressing Skills Needed for Graduates: 06:00
- AI’s Rapid Growth in Nursing & Charting: 07:53
- Simulation as “Unsung Hero” of Nursing Ed: 10:15
- Solving Resource and Access Constraints with VR: 13:36
- Grand Ronde Hospital Case Study: 15:17
- Balancing Simulation & Live Practice: 16:53
- Ensuring VR Experiences Translate to Care: 18:05
- Trends: School-Hospital Partnerships & Microcredentials: 19:57
- Advice: Getting Future Ready: 21:23
- Vision for AI + VR Integration: 24:16
- Parting Message to Educators and Leaders: 25:41
Closing Message
Christy’s Call to Action:
"Educators and ed tech leaders really need to start having a bigger conversation... to create the future of that educational experience for faculty, for students, for nurses as they practice in any space." (25:41)
Further Information:
Listeners interested in learning more about VR simulation in nursing can visit ubisimvr.com.
This summary covers all critical insights, illustrative case examples, and forward-thinking strategies discussed by Dr. Christy Heid on the transformative role of VR and AI in nursing education, with the practical wisdom and optimism that characterize both her and the EdTech Connect Podcast.