Mindfulness in Nursing Education: A Holistic Strategy for Enhancing Student Well-Being and Resilience.

Résumé

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. Nursing faculty implemented an educational intervention using a pre-post design across two university nursing programs. 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. 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. 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.