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VLPN Partner Meeting in Tartu

    2nd of October – 4th of October 2024

    In early October, we met in Tartu for the Virtual Children’s Hospital for Learning Pediatric Nursing project (VLPN). Participants were from all partner countries: Finland, Cyprus, and, of course, Estonia, which hosted the meeting. Since all project members could not travel to Tartu, we worked in a hybrid mode enabling the rest of the team to join the meeting through an online connection.

    With the VLPN project, we aim to strengthen the child healthcare competence of nursing students by providing immersive and innovative learning. In the project, we develop a new and innovative learning environment that, not only supports students in learning pediatric nursing but also, enables them to learn together in international groups of students.

    The project has progressed to a stage where a virtual children’s hospital has been built in a metaverse environment. Four themes related to pediatric nursing have been included in the hospital’s study modules. In addition, we have jointly designed virtual simulations and practical tasks for the platform.

    During the three days in Tartu, we reviewed and discussed the content of the study modules, tasks, and simulations and planned the upcoming seminars. The impressive simulation rooms on the campus inspired us to further develop our virtual simulations in the learning environment. In addition, with the assistance of a technical expert, we successfully tested the environment using VR glasses.

    Although our project team has met remotely regularly throughout the project, it is very rewarding to see and work face-to-face from time to time. During conversations online, misunderstandings can arise, and it can be challenging to consider all viewpoints in relatively short meetings. During the partner meeting, we shared our successes and discussed potential problems and ambiguities. Together, we resolved the challenges that arose and planned the next stages of the project.

    We are very grateful to our host, Tartu Health Care College, for their warm hospitality and well-organized meeting days. In addition to the wonderful campus facilities, we had the opportunity to visit the Children’s Clinic of Tartu University Hospital and explore the charming city of Tartu. After the successful meeting days, we are even more committed and inspired to continue working together on the project!

    VLPN project team and rector of THCC Ulla Preeden (on the right)

    Written by Mirka Toivonen and Katriina Vesanen.