Abstract: Objective: To preliminarily evaluate the effects of the virtual simulation experiment teaching method of pressure steam sterilization in improving the knowledge and skills of pressure steam sterilization for nursing students. Methods: We conducted a self-controlled before and after trial, in which we enrolled 30 nursing interns from June 3, 2019 to June 2, 2020 to receive the virtual simulation experiment teaching of pressure steam sterilization. We compared their theoretical and operational performance before and after the intervention in the mid-term assessment (2 weeks) and final assessment (4 weeks), and collected their evaluations of the virtual simulation experiment teaching system of pressure steam sterilization. Results: The theoretical and operational scores in the mid-term assessment and the final assessment were higher than that before the intervention (P<0.05). About 97.7% of the students believe that the virtual simulation experiment teaching system can boost their interest in learning, and 93.3% of the students think that the virtual simulation experiment teaching is conducive to cultivating clinical thinking ability. Conclusion: The virtual simulation experiment teaching of pressure steam sterilization can effectively improve the theoretical knowledge level and operation skill level of pressure steam sterilization for nursing interns.

Key words: pressure steam sterilization; virtual simulation; experimental teaching