eISSN 2097-6054 ISSN 1672-9234 CN 11-5289/R
Responsible Institution:China Association for Science and Technology
Publishing:Chinese Nursing Journals Publishing House Co.,Ltd.
Sponsor:Chinese Nursing Association
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Chinese Journal of Nursing Education ›› 2026, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (9): 1135-1143.doi: 10.3761/j.issn.1672-9234.2026.09.017

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A scoping review of the applications of augmented reality in nursing education

WEI Wenjing(), LUO Xueli, WANG Xiaohui, CHEN Lingxin, GONG Xiaoyan, DONG Lianlian*()   

  1. Nursing Department, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
  • Received:2025-09-03 Online:2026-09-15 Published:2026-09-15
  • Contact: *DONG Lianlian,E-mail:dongll@srrsh.com
  • Supported by:
    Zhejiang Medical and Health Science and Technology Plan General Project(2025KY082)

Abstract:

Objective To conduct a scoping review of the application of augmented reality(AR) technology in nursing education,to summarize its core teaching elements,educational outcomes,and existing limitations. Methods A systematic search was performed in PubMed,Web of Science,Cochrane Library,Embase,CINAHL,IEEE Xplore,CNKI,Wanfang,VIP,and SinoMed for studies involving the application of AR technology in nursing education from the inception to June 18,2025. Supplementary literature retrieval was additionally performed on July 6,2026. Two researchers independently conducted literature screening and data extraction. Results A total of 27 articles were included. Preparatory work for implementing AR-based nursing education included knowledge preparation for learners,familiarity with equipment,and teacher evaluation of instructional design. AR technology was used either independently or in combination with other teaching methods such as flipped classrooms,gamified learning,and scenario simulation training in theoretical or experimental teaching,student practical training,and continuing education for nurses. AR-based nursing education exhibited variations in duration,frequency,and participant demographics; its value in enhancing learners’ theoretical knowledge,learning confidence,and teaching satisfaction was well-established; however its effects on improving skill proficiency and self-directed learning abilities remained inconsistent in existing research. Limitations such as bulky equipment,potential discomfort,and distraction from real nursing patients somewhat constrained the application of AR technology in nursing education. Conclusion AR technology has gained extensive adoption in nursing education with preliminary verified teaching effects. Future efforts should focus on standardizing instructional design and implementation,expanding application scenarios,establishing a multimodal teaching evaluation system,strengthening industry-academia-research collaboration to develop equipment tailored to nursing education needs,and further validating and enhancing the efficacy of AR technology in nursing education.

Key words: Augmented Reality, Nursing Education, Scoping Review