Objective: To explore the application effect of virtual simulation technology in the teaching of critical care nursing for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to provide a basis for optimizing the nursing teaching model in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology. Methods: Twenty nursing interns who interned in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the hospital from July 2024 to August 2025 were selected as the research subjects, and they were given a 4-week “virtual simulation + traditional teaching” intervention. The theoretical assessment scores, practical assessment scores, and clinical decision-making ability scores were compared before the intervention (baseline) and after the intervention (end of teaching). Meanwhile, the ability to simulate the handling of adverse events (identification time, emergency implementation time, and correct handling rate) before and after the intervention was compared. Combined with the teaching satisfaction survey after the intervention, the practical value of virtual simulation technology was analyzed. Results: After the intervention, the theoretical assessment scores, practical assessment scores, and clinical decision-making ability scores of the 20 research subjects were significantly higher than those before the intervention, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). After the intervention, the identification time of adverse events and the implementation time of emergency measures for the 20 research subjects were significantly shorter than those before the intervention, and the correct handling rate was significantly higher than that before the intervention, with statistically significant differences (all P < 0.05). After the intervention, among the 20 research subjects, 15 (75.0%) were “very satisfied”, 4 (20.0%) were “generally satisfied”, and 1 (5.0%) was “unsatisfied”, with an overall satisfaction rate of 95.0% (19/20). Conclusion: Virtual simulation technology can improve the teaching quality of critical care nursing for SLE, enhance the theoretical mastery, practical ability, and clinical decision-making ability of intern nurses, and is worthy of promotion and application in the nursing teaching of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology.