Calming the Mind, Strengthening the Nurse: A Mindfulness-Based Intervention for Nursing Students
Hatice Pars, Merve Akay
Research Square November 11, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7761759/v1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative phenomenological study Longitudinal |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 15 |
| Population | Undergraduate nursing students in Turkey, aged 21-23, who completed the full mindfulness-based program |
| Intervention | body awareness |
| Duration | Eight weekly sessions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Participants described reduced anxiety symptoms, more adaptive stress coping, and improved present-moment attention after the program. The authors argue the eight-session mindfulness program supported emotional resilience, self-awareness, and self-regulation, and contend that mindfulness practices should be integrated into nursing curricula. |
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Nursing students are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress due to the combined demands of academic performance and clinical training. The COVID-19 pandemic has further intensified these stressors. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have shown promising results in reducing anxiety, stress, and emotional dysregulation in student populations. However, there is limited qualitative research exploring how nursing students in Turkey experience such interventions.
Objective: To explore the psychological and experiential outcomes of an eight-session mindfulness-based educational program among nursing students in Turkey, with a focus on anxiety, stress management, and mindfulness awareness.
Methods: This study employed a qualitative phenomenological design. Fifteen undergraduate nursing students (aged 21–23) who completed the full mindfulness-based program participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis. The intervention integrated breathing exercises, body awareness, and guided meditation delivered weekly by a certified instructor.
Results: Thematic analysis revealed five pre-intervention themes: (1) sources of stress and anxiety, (2) coping strategies, (3) physical and cognitive symptoms, (4) impact on daily/academic life, and (5) limited mindfulness awareness. Post-intervention themes highlighted: (1) increased breath awareness and emotional regulation, (2) improved stress management, (3) enhanced academic focus, (4) integration of mindfulness into daily routines, and (5) strengthened self-awareness and emotional observation. Participants reported decreased anxiety symptoms, more adaptive stress coping, and improved present-moment attention.
Conclusions: The intervention contributed to significant psychological shifts in nursing students, enhancing emotional resilience, present-moment awareness, and self-regulation. Findings support the integration of mindfulness practices into nursing curricula to address mental health challenges in healthcare education. Further research with larger samples and longitudinal designs is recommended.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on meditation, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 2
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Positive Effects of a Stress Reduction Program Based on Mindfulness Meditation in Brazilian Nursing Professionals: Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation. Explore 2016