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Reducing student anxiety by using clinical peer mentoring with beginning nursing students
1Department of Nursing, Southeast Missouri State University, One University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, USA. asprengel@semo.edu
Nurse Educator
|December 9, 2004
Summary
Peer mentoring significantly reduced anxiety for beginning nursing students during their first clinical hospital experience. Both freshmen and sophomore mentors reported less stress and improved interaction, creating a more positive learning environment.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- First clinical experiences are often stressful for nursing students, especially those without prior healthcare exposure.
- High anxiety levels can negatively impact the learning environment and student well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a peer mentoring project in reducing anxiety for beginning nursing students.
- To assess the impact of peer mentoring on the clinical learning environment and student interaction.
Main Methods:
- Implementation of a peer mentoring program pairing freshmen nursing students with sophomore medical-surgical students.
- Qualitative and quantitative assessment of student anxiety levels and perceptions of the clinical environment.
Main Results:
- Mentored freshmen reported reduced anxiety and a less stressful initial hospital experience.
- Sophomore mentors also experienced decreased anxiety and perceived benefits from their mentoring role.
- The project fostered increased interaction among students across different curriculum levels.
Conclusions:
- Peer mentoring is an effective strategy for mitigating anxiety in novice nursing students during clinical placements.
- Mentoring benefits extend to the mentors themselves, enhancing their educational experience.
- This initiative promotes a more supportive and integrated learning community within nursing programs.