Effect of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Training on First Clinical Day Stress in First-Year Nursing Students

Overview

Clinical practice is a fundamental component of nursing education; however, it can be a major source of stress, particularly for first-year students. The first clinical day is often associated with high levels of anxiety due to uncertainty, fear of making mistakes, and perceived inadequacy. Mindfulness-based approaches have been shown to enhance coping skills and facilitate adaptation to clinical environments. However, most existing interventions are long-term, and evidence regarding short, pre-clinical interventions is limited. This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effect of a brief mindfulness-based training administered one day before clinical placement on reducing anticipatory stress and first clinical day stress among first-year nursing students. Participants will be randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Data will be collected using the Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS). The findings are expected to contribute to evidence-based improvements in pre-clinical preparation in nursing education.

Clinical stress negatively affects nursing students' learning processes, self-confidence, and clinical performance. The first clinical experience is particularly associated with increased stress and anxiety levels. Mindfulness-based interventions help individuals regulate stress responses by promoting non-judgmental awareness of the present moment. While previous studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of mindfulness programs, they have predominantly focused on long-term interventions. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a short-term mindfulness-based training delivered one day prior to clinical practice. The study uniquely examines both anticipatory stress (before clinical exposure) and experienced stress (after the first clinical day). The intervention includes breathing awareness, body awareness, and short mindfulness exercises delivered in a four different sessions time before first clinical experince. The results are expected to provide practical and evidence-based contributions to nursing education.