Kent State University’s College of Nursing introduced AI-supported VR patient simulation in fall 2025 to help nursing students practise clinical judgement and communication. The initial use supports the LPN Education Advancement Program (LEAP), helping licensed practical nurses progress towards registered nursing. Tools were purchased with Health Resources and Services Administration NEPQR–Pathway to Registered Nurse Program grant funding.
Students enter a virtual clinical setting through a headset and speak with responsive patients. They can assess vital signs, consult electronic records and make care decisions. Individual transcripts, performance analysis and AI feedback let them review their actions and repeat scenarios. University imagery shows Meta Quest 3S headsets with hand controllers. Janet Reed and Intulect representative Will Kirkpatrick explicitly identified Intulect as their partner when sharing February 2026 coverage of the programme.
News 5 reported in February 2026 that almost 30 students were experimenting with the technology. This is a participant estimate, not a count of sessions or a controlled study of effectiveness.
A later university procurement sought a phased expansion to approximately 600 students in year one, 1,200 in year two and 1,700 in year three. Its closed-bid index marks RFP 2031 as awarded, while the attached notice identifies Intulect Inc. as the finalist for contract award. Those planned cohort sizes do not establish that the expansion has been delivered.
