Other Titles
Impact of SBIRT and Virtual Simulation on Nursing Students’ Screening Readiness and Practice Behaviors [Title Slide]
Abstract
Purpose: This study examined changes in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students’ screening readiness and practice behaviors related to substance use following Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) education and training. It also evaluated the added impact of Kognito virtual simulation to identify areas for curriculum improvement.
Substance use disorder is a major public health issue, and nurses are key to early detection and intervention. Many nursing students reported feeling unprepared to address it (Myers et al., 2021; Quaye et al., 2020). SBIRT education improves knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy (Gomez et al., 2023; Zucker et al, 2022), but didactic methods alone may not develop practical skills. Simulation-based training, such as Kognito virtual patients, offers a safe, interactive way to practice screening, communication, and brief interventions (Blake et al., 2025). Limited research has explored the combined impact of SBIRT education and virtual simulation on students’ readiness and practice behaviors.
Methods: A pretest–posttest quasi experimental study of 488 fourth-year BSN students at a California public university examined SBIRT education and Kognito simulation. All received SBIRT training; a subset completed the simulation. Data were collected using a questionnaire on SBIRT Confidence, Knowledge, and Behaviors. Analyses used paired t tests, and ANOVAs, guided by Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory.
Results: SBIRT education significantly increased screening readiness (t(315) =7.60, p< .001) and practice behaviors (t(137)=4.32, p< .001). Students showed greater readiness to screen for tobacco and alcohol use, deliver brief interventions, and advise on prescription misuse. Kognito simulation further improved practice behaviors (F(1,335) =6.45, p< .05), with higher posttest scores than nonparticipants. It enhanced referral behaviors, while non-simulation students showed greater gains in facilitating self-help group use.
Nursing Implications: Combining SBIRT education with simulation strengthens competence in screening, intervention, and referral for substance use. Given that substance use remains a global health challenge and nurses serve as key frontline responders, integrating SBIRT education with scalable virtual simulations into nursing curricula can reinforce competencies, facilitate early identification of substance use disorders, and foster culturally responsive interventions across diverse healthcare settings worldwide.
Notes
Reference list included in attached slide deck.
Sigma Membership
Upsilon Beta
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Pretest-Posttest
Research Approach
Quantitative Research
Keywords:
Simulation, Curriculum Development, Public and Community Health, Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Student Knowledge, Student Attitudes, Health Screening, Substance Use Disorders--Education, Referral and Consultation
Recommended Citation
Alatrash, Manal and Alkrisat, Muder, "Impact of SBIRT and Virtual Simulation on Nursing Students’ Screening Readiness and Behaviors" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 58.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/58
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-25
Impact of SBIRT and Virtual Simulation on Nursing Students’ Screening Readiness and Behaviors
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Purpose: This study examined changes in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students’ screening readiness and practice behaviors related to substance use following Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) education and training. It also evaluated the added impact of Kognito virtual simulation to identify areas for curriculum improvement.
Substance use disorder is a major public health issue, and nurses are key to early detection and intervention. Many nursing students reported feeling unprepared to address it (Myers et al., 2021; Quaye et al., 2020). SBIRT education improves knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy (Gomez et al., 2023; Zucker et al, 2022), but didactic methods alone may not develop practical skills. Simulation-based training, such as Kognito virtual patients, offers a safe, interactive way to practice screening, communication, and brief interventions (Blake et al., 2025). Limited research has explored the combined impact of SBIRT education and virtual simulation on students’ readiness and practice behaviors.
Methods: A pretest–posttest quasi experimental study of 488 fourth-year BSN students at a California public university examined SBIRT education and Kognito simulation. All received SBIRT training; a subset completed the simulation. Data were collected using a questionnaire on SBIRT Confidence, Knowledge, and Behaviors. Analyses used paired t tests, and ANOVAs, guided by Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory.
Results: SBIRT education significantly increased screening readiness (t(315) =7.60, p< .001) and practice behaviors (t(137)=4.32, p< .001). Students showed greater readiness to screen for tobacco and alcohol use, deliver brief interventions, and advise on prescription misuse. Kognito simulation further improved practice behaviors (F(1,335) =6.45, p< .05), with higher posttest scores than nonparticipants. It enhanced referral behaviors, while non-simulation students showed greater gains in facilitating self-help group use.
Nursing Implications: Combining SBIRT education with simulation strengthens competence in screening, intervention, and referral for substance use. Given that substance use remains a global health challenge and nurses serve as key frontline responders, integrating SBIRT education with scalable virtual simulations into nursing curricula can reinforce competencies, facilitate early identification of substance use disorders, and foster culturally responsive interventions across diverse healthcare settings worldwide.
Description
This study examined the impact of SBIRT education and training and Kognito virtual simulation on BSN students’ screening readiness and practice behaviors related to substance use. In a pretest–posttest design with 488 students, SBIRT training significantly improved readiness and intervention behaviors. Simulation participants showed greater gains in practice and referral behaviors, highlighting the value of integrating interactive simulations to strengthen nursing competence related to drug use.