Integrative Strategies to Help Students Lower Their Anixety

When students enter the junior year of this program, they begin their clinical experiences. At this time, faculty requests they begin to “draw on previous course & put it all together”.  Many students have difficulty making the transition from theory laden course to “real nursing courses”.  This transition to junior level nursing courses in conjunction with high stake testing often results in high levels of anxiety in the students. This anxiety is palpable in the nursing building & increases prior to testing times.  Although the students are aware of their anxiety, sometimes it is beyond their control. Being sensitive to the student level of anxiety has initiated a variety of measures to help the junior nursing students to lower their anxiety. This section of the symposium will address some of these measures instituted to assist junior nursing students to lower their anxiety. Some of these measures  include: relaxation & visual imagery, mindfulness, sighing & healing touch.