Addressing Nursing Students' Anxiety During Simulation Sessions: A Pilot Intervention Study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Psychological Interventions
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Simulation-based education is crucial for nursing training but often causes significant anxiety.
• High anxiety levels can impede learning and skill development in nursing students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To implement and evaluate a mindfulness intervention for reducing anxiety in nursing students during simulation sessions.
• To assess the impact of mindfulness on the frequency, intensity, and duration of anxiety.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 54 nursing students.
• Data collection via surveys and an emotion tracking system.
• Statistical analysis using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).

Main Results:

• The mindfulness intervention significantly reduced anxiety in the experimental group compared to the control group.
• A statistically significant decrease was observed in the frequency (p=.016), intensity (p=.050), and duration (p=.017) of anxiety.
• No significant long-term effects of the intervention were identified.

Conclusions:

• Mindfulness interventions are effective in alleviating acute anxiety experienced by nursing students during simulation.
• This approach can enhance the learning environment for simulation-based nursing education.
• Further research is needed to explore long-term anxiety reduction strategies.