UNC Charlotte School of Nursing Selected to Pilot Innovative Virtual Reality Training with Bodyswaps

April 22, 2025
Categories: Faculty Spotlights, General News

UNC Charlotte nursing faculty members Leslie Beth “L.B.” Sossoman, DNP, MSN, AGACNP-BC, RN-CV, CPHQ, Amy Winiger, DNP, ACNP-BC, FACC, and Melinda Pierce, MSN, RN, CHSE have been selected as one of 192 grant awardees globally by Bodyswaps, a cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) platform that delivers immersive soft skills training. This summer, their awarded project will engage Nurse Practitioner (NP) students in a pilot study designed to assess the impact of simulated interpersonal scenarios delivered in innovative formats.

WHAT IS BODYSWAPS?

Bodyswaps is a pioneer in AI-driven immersive simulations for education and healthcare. The platform delivers a comprehensive learning experience by integrating subject matter expert-designed modules, customizable AI roleplays, and personalized assessments.

Formerly known as Somewhere Else, Bodyswaps began as a storytelling-focused VR agency. In 2019, the company shifted its focus to developing VR experiences designed to help mental health nurses practice challenging conversations in a safe, controlled environment. It became clear that in order to provide learners with practical insights and a secure space to build confidence, realistic VR-simulated conversations needed to be paired with AI-powered feedback.

After developing an initial prototype and observing promising outcomes from early testing and research, the team recognized the potential of this innovative approach. They rebranded as Bodyswaps, committing fully to their mission of transforming communication training through immersive technology.

VIRTUAL REALITY TRAINING INITIATIVE

As part of the initiative, NP students will participate in three key VR training scenarios:

  • Navigating Angry Conversations
  • Acting with Empathy
  • Increasing Immunization Confidence

These simulations aim to strengthen students’ communication and emotional intelligence skills—critical competencies in today’s healthcare environments. The training will be delivered through three modalities: online, mobile device, and VR headsets on campus, offering a flexible and immersive experience tailored to modern learning preferences.

Data will be collected from THE participating students to evaluate the effectiveness of each modality and to gain insights into the role of immersive technology in clinical education. Currently, Dr. Sossoman is developing the tool that will be used to collect and evaluate the data.