Mindfulness Training to Improve Nurse Clinical Performance: A Pilot Study

Author: Janice M Zeller1, Angela M Johnson2, Arthur Hoffman3, Ruby L Hoyem4, Michelle B Alexander5, Rachel Yudkowsky6, Frank D Hicks7
Affiliation: <sup>1</sup> School of Nursing and Health Sciences, North Park University, Chicago, IL, USA. <sup>2</sup> Rush Cancer Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. <sup>3</sup> Department of Preventative Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. <sup>4</sup> American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, Park Ridge, IL, USA. <sup>5</sup> Valencia College, Orlando, FL, USA. <sup>6</sup> Department of Medical Education, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA. <sup>7</sup> Department of Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing, College of Nursing, Rush University College of Nursing, Chicago, IL, USA.
Conference/Journal: West J Nurs Res
Date published: 2020 Oct 19
Other: Special Notes: doi: 10.1177/0193945920964938. , Word Count: 152


Health care errors are a national concern. Although considerable attention has been placed on reducing errors since a 2000 Institute of Medicine report, adverse events persist. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effect of mindfulness training, employing the standardized approach of an eight-week mindfulness-based, stress reduction program on reduction of nurse errors in simulated clinical scenarios. An experimental, pre- and post-test control group design was employed with 20 staff nurses and senior nursing students. Although not statistically significant, there were numerical differences in clinical performance scores from baseline when comparing mindfulness and control groups immediately following mindfulness training and after three months. A number of benefits of mindfulness training, such as improved listening skills, were identified. This pilot study supports the benefits of mindfulness training in improving nurse clinical performance and illustrates a novel approach to employ in future research.

Keywords: Mindfulness; clinical errors; clinical performance; nursing; simulation.

PMID: 33073733 DOI: 10.1177/0193945920964938