Mindfulness in Nursing Education: A Holistic Strategy for Enhancing Student Well-Being and Resilience
<b>Purpose of Study:</b> This project explored the feasibility and perceived benefits of integrating mindfulness training, grounded in holistic nursing philosophy, into undergraduate and post-licensure BSN nursing curricula to support student well-being and resilience. <b>Design of Study:</b> Nursing faculty implemented an educational intervention using a pre-post design across two university nursing programs. <b>Methods Used:</b> Faculty embedded a semester-long mindfulness curriculum into existing nursing courses. Students received lectures, accessed curated mindfulness resources, and completed a reflective journal assignment. Pre- and post-intervention surveys assessed changes in students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to mindfulness. <b>Findings:</b> Among 103 students who completed both surveys, knowledge of mindfulness increased from 42% to 91%, and regular practice rose from 41% to 73%. Students reported improved stress and anxiety management, emotional awareness, and resilience. Nearly all participants (96%) indicated plans to continue mindfulness practices. Journal reflections revealed themes of improved mood, self-care prioritization, and enhanced coping strategies. <b>Conclusions:</b> Faculty successfully implemented mindfulness training, and students responded positively. The intervention supported stress reduction and resilience, aligning with national nursing education competencies and reflecting holistic nursing's emphasis on whole-person care. Findings suggest mindfulness integration may be a valuable, low-cost strategy to enhance nursing education and promote student well-being.
Authors
- Alyssa Erikson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6867-3306)
- Cindy A. Stein (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5390-1804)
- Donna Balsam (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1454-5179)
Institutions
- California State University, Monterey Bay (US)
- San Diego State University (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Holistic Nursing
- Published
- 2025-12-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/08980101251404156
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.31