Teaching Nursing Students How to Mitigate Stress
Abstract
Carol Rozelle
Background: For student’s stress and burnout has significantly increased in the following manners: (a) poorer health at graduation and 1 year post graduation, (b) lower mastery of nurse-specific tasks, (c) and lower use of evidence-based practice. Stress of the nursing student closely mirrors that of other students, with added components such as (a) workload, (b) clinical placement, (c) development of clinical skills, and (d) perceived lack of practical skills. Many studies have addressed student stress but haven’t focused on measures to deter stress.
Method: A convenience sample of 35 junior-level nursing students in a generic baccalaureate theoretical framework’ and a pre/post survey was administered.
Results: Mindfulness and self-care modules were beneficial in increasing self-care efforts and decreasing stress from 5 to 30% points, in a short period of time.
Conclusion: The project was designed and succeeded in reducing stress in nursing students by directing and energizing them to keep their well-being a priority