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Learning Objective #1: The learner will be able to demonstrate basic meditation practices that can be used in the classroom.

Learning Objective #2: The learner will be able to describe the benefits of using meditation in the classroom.

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RN-BSN students enrolled in a community health nursing course were given the opportunity to participate in 15 minutes of guided meditation during each class meeting. Many of these students work full-time as registered nurses and have families, in addition to their coursework. These non-traditional students typically report high levels of stress related to the multiple demands of school, employment, and family responsibilities. The purpose of incorporating stress reduction activities into the class, was to lower students’ stress levels and enhance learning. Students were provided with an overview of stress management and its significance to their own health, as well as the importance of stress management education in the community health setting. Students were shown techniques used in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). MBSR originated at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1979, and research supports its effectiveness in promoting psychological and physiological well-being. Students were invited to participate in the meditation activity each week in class and encouraged to practice the techniques at home, if they desired. Students were provided with handouts containing information about the principles and health benefits of practicing MBSR. Students were given questionnaires to fill out at mid-semester and at the end of the semester regarding their meditation experience and its effect on stress levels. Overall, students indicated that the meditating in the classroom was a positive experience that helped them relax and focus during class in addition to relieving stress.