LabTrainingVR: Biosafety Cabinet Edition vs UbiSim

LabTrainingVR: Biosafety Cabinet Edition is a free virtual reality course for practicing safe work in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). Its 1.5 hours of training cover identifying Class II BSC parts, maintaining positive airflow, preparing for work, applying safe practices, decontaminating and shutting down, and emergency shutdown procedures. The course is designed for laboratory professionals, including public health and clinical laboratory staff, safety professionals, and others interested in safe BSC use. It supplements CDC’s existing eLearning course on working safely in a BSC. Learners practice in a virtual laboratory without exposure to pathogens or risk of accidental infection or release. The course is headset-only, with versions for HTC Vive and Oculus Quest 2; the equipment guide also identifies Meta Quest 2 and above and OpenXR-compatible headsets. It requires 360° tracking and a play area of at least 3 by 3 feet, with 20 by 20 feet listed as ideal. HTC Vive and tethered-headset setups require Windows 8.1 or later, at least 8 GB RAM, and 20 GB available storage, among other hardware requirements. Quest setup requires Wi-Fi and a mobile device for initial installation.

UbiSim is an immersive VR clinical simulation platform for nursing education and workforce development. Its scenarios are designed to help learners develop clinical judgment and communication skills in inpatient and outpatient settings. The peer-reviewed catalog covers medical-surgical nursing, pediatrics, obstetrics, and mental health. Educators can create or adapt scenarios using a no-code editor. Sessions can be facilitator-led, independent, peer-to-peer, observation-based, or multiplayer, with up to three active learners in one simulation. The learning workflow supports prebriefing, simulation, and debriefing, including self-guided reflection, quizzes, and web replay. Listed AI features include assisted simulation options, patient dialogue, and performance reports. UbiSim says its scenarios align with the Next Generation NCLEX-RN test plan, the NCSBN Clinical Judgment Measurement Model, AACN Essentials, and INACSL standards. The VR app supports Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, and Quest 3. Facilitation uses a computer running Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS and the latest Chrome browser. Annual engagements typically begin at $5,000 a year; exact pricing depends on the solution and implementation requirements.