Smart Glasses Use Experience of Nursing Graduate Students: Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Immersive technology such as smart glasses can benefit nursing training and clinical practice. In this paper, we explore the views of nursing graduate students about their experience with smart glasses. Methods: Nursing graduate students (n = 13) were recruited using purposeful sampling. They were first exposed to a virtual reality intervention aimed at diabetic ketoacidosis in nursing care. This was attempted to familiarize participants with the technology and initiate conversations around its use in nursing care. Participants were then interviewed either online or face to face. Data were analyzed manually using the thematic analysis method by Braun & Clarke. Results: The study findings indicated that the use of smart glasses as an enjoyable learning experience and immersive games positively affected nursing students. In addition, it was determined that they had negative experiences such as cost, lack of infrastructure, and smart glasses side effects. Conclusions: Smart glasses indicate good usability and availability effects in nursing education and potential for use in hospital nursing practice.