Mindfulness in nursing education: an integrative review.
Ashley Fenton, Rika Win, Maureen Ndzi, Kathryne Neiling
BMC Nursing December 9, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-025-04070-0 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Integrative literature review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Undergraduate or graduate nursing students |
| Intervention | mindfulness-based interventions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Burnout, professional Nursing education Stress, psychological Students, nursing |
| Key findings | MBIs are consistently associated with short-term reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression, and improvements in emotional regulation, self-care, and spirituality, but evidence is insufficient to confirm long-term impact on professional burnout. |
Abstract
Objectives: To assess the impact of mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) on nursing students and identify best practices for integration into nursing education.
Design: Integrative literature review guided by PRISMA standards. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Embase were searched for studies published between 2019 and 2024.
Methods: Studies focused on MBIs for undergraduate or graduate nursing students were evaluated using the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Guidelines. Data were synthesized to identify outcomes and implications for education.
Results: Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. MBIs were consistently associated with reductions in stress, anxiety, and depression, and improvements in emotional regulation, self-care, and spirituality. Common strategies included meditation, breathing exercises, guided imagery, and structured training. Benefits consistently short-term, with limited evidence on long-term effects or comparative effectiveness.
Conclusions: MBIs show promise in supporting nursing student well-being and resilience but evidence is insufficient to confirm long-term impact on professional burnout. Findings should be interpreted cautiously given variability in study design and outcome measures Future studies should include more diverse populations, evaluate sustained outcomes, and compare delivery methods to guide curricular integration. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Effects of a Course-Based Yoga Intervention on Perceived Stress and Mindfulness Among Nursing Students: A Quasi-Experimental Mixed-Methods Study Healthcare September 4, 2026
- Stress Management and Resilience among Students Enrolled in the Entry Level Master of Science in Nursing (ELMSN) Program Open Journal of Nursing 2026
- Brief meditation and acute stress in undergraduate nursing students: a pre-post study of an embedded wellness intervention. Journal of American College Health September 24, 2026
Cites 6
- The Effects of Mindfulness Meditation on Nursing Students' Stress and Anxiety Levels. Nursing Education Perspectives
- Effectiveness and experiences of integrating Mindfulness into Peer-assisted Learning (PAL) in clinical education for nursing students: A mixed method study. Nurse Education Today 2024
- Effectiveness of Mindfulness Meditation on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Quasi-experimental Study Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research 2023
- The effect of mindfulness-based mandala activity on anxiety and spiritual well-being levels of senior nursing students: A randomized controlled study. Perspectives In Psychiatric Care July 3, 2022
- Mindfulness Meditation and Anxiety in Nursing Students. Nursing Education Perspectives March 10, 2020
and 1 more in the library