Mindfulness Training for New Nursing Students Improves Stress Resilience and Well-Being
Rebecca A. Schwartz‐Mette, Kelley Strout, Maile Sapp, Syerra-Marie Carmone, Maizy Weirich
Journal of Nursing Education January 20, 2026 DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20250827-01 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed-methods, single-group, pre-post design Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 33 |
| Population | First-year nursing students |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Resilience materials science Training meteorology Stress linguistics Psychological resilience Nurse education Stress management Clinical psychology Psychotherapist Applied psychology Nursing research |
| Key points | The mindfulness program increased adaptive mindfulness skills, reduced stress and exhaustion, and improved satisfaction with life among first-year nursing students. |
Abstract
Background: First-year nursing students need support to mitigate the effects of stress to improve the health and consistency of the student-to-professional pathway, addressing critical workforce shortages. Yet, evidence-based wellness interventions are underdeveloped and understudied for this population.
Method: Using a mixed-methods, single-group, pre-post design, this study evaluated the effectiveness of Navigating Life's Challenges, adapted directly from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) in a sample of first-year nursing students ( N = 33, mean age = 22.16, 94% female-identifying students).
Results: Multilevel modeling for repeated measures data revealed increased use of adaptive mindfulness skills (acting with awareness, nonreactivity), reduced stress and exhaustion, and improved satisfaction with life. Qualitative focus group data suggested the program was enjoyable, helpful, and appreciated by students.
Conclusion: Mindfulness bolsters stress resilience in new nursing students; implications for training and future directions for research are discussed.
Comparable studies
Other non-randomized and open-label trials on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Relation to Quality of Life, Mood, Symptoms of Stress, and Immune Parameters in Breast and Prostate Cancer Outpatients Early-stage breast and prostate cancer patients | 2003 | Pre-post intervention study | n = 59 |
| Exploring self‐compassion and empathy in the context of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) Community sample | 2010 | Pre-post intervention study | |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Lowers Psychological Distress In Medical Students Second-year medical students | 2003 | Prospective nonrandomized cohort-controlled study | n = 302 |
| Intensive meditation training, immune cell telomerase activity, and psychological mediators. Retreat participants and matched controls | 2011 | Controlled trial with wait-list control group | n = 60 |
| The Effectiveness of Mindfulness Training for Children with ADHD and Mindful Parenting for their Parents Children aged 8-12 with ADHD and their parents | 2011 | Within-group waitlist controlled trial | n = 22 |
Citations in the library
Cites 10
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Clarifying the construct of mindfulness in the context of emotion regulation and the process of change in therapy. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- The Impact of an Innovative Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program on the Health and Well-Being of Nurses Employed in a Corporate Setting Journal of Workplace Behavioral Health April 1, 2013
- Neurobiological Changes Induced by Mindfulness and Meditation: A Systematic Review. Biomedicines November 15, 2024
- Yoga and Mindfulness as a Tool for Influencing Affectivity, Anxiety, Mental Health, and Stress among Healthcare Workers: Results of a Single-Arm Clinical Trial Journal of Clinical Medicine April 1, 2020
and 5 more in the library