Abstract

Background: Prelicensure nursing students may experience stress during in-class instruction and clinical rotations that impede their ability to acquire critical skills and knowledge. Meditation and mindfulness are effective strategies to reduce stress and anxiety, but little is known about their use with prelicensure nursing students.

Methods: During an academic year, the instructor began each session of six prelicensure nursing courses with a centering activity. Centering activities included music only, guided imagery, positive self-talk, body scanning, mindfulness, or simply sitting in silence. Students submitted confidential feedback by completing a 10-item survey or writing a brief descriptive essay about the impact of centering activities on their learning experiences.

Results: Students reported benefits from participating in centering activities that included reduced anxiety and stress, improved mental clearing and transitioning into learning mode, enhanced engagement in learning activities, and enhanced teamwork experiences.

Conclusion: Centering activities before class provide multiple benefits for nursing students and their use should be expanded.