Abstract
Stress and anxiety are prevalent among nursing students, who encounter numerous academic, social, and personal pressures throughout their education (Franco et al., 2022; Oneiva-Zafra et al., 2020). Factors such as life events, financial issues, domestic conflicts, food insecurity, and preexisting mental health conditions amplify stress levels, impacting academic performance and overall well-being (Karaca et al., 2019; Moran et al., 2023). Studies have shown that supportive faculty behaviors correlate with reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate nursing students (Stubin et al., 2024). Responding to these needs, the School of Nursing recognized the importance of proactive support and initiated the development of a wellness algorithm to help faculty identify and address student well-being concerns effectively.
This project describes implementation of a wellness algorithm to foster the health and well-being of students within academic settings, providing a structured pathway for early intervention and support for students experiencing a range of wellness challenges.
The wellness algorithm categorizes student concerns into four levels, represented by a color-coded system. Green signals general anxiety; yellow denotes financial concerns; orange indicates the potential need for a welfare check; and red represents an immediate threat to self or others. Faculty are trained to respond to each level accordingly, allowing the wellness department to address student needs systematically and effectively.
Since the wellness algorithm was introduced, there has been a marked increase in faculty referrals, reflecting both the increased mental health needs among students and the tool's effectiveness. Beginning with 85 referrals in Fall 2019, the numbers have consistently risen, reaching a peak of 211 referrals in Spring 2024. This increase highlights the critical role of structured support systems in academic settings. The algorithm has facilitated timely access to essential student resources.
The wellness algorithm has been recognized as a model intervention by the health sciences center institution and serves as a framework for other health professions programs aiming to improve student support. The algorithm’s success highlights its potential for replication across educational institutions, contributing to enhanced student health and well-being support and promoting a holistic approach to nursing education.
Notes
References: Franco, H., Veesart, A., & Chapman, K. (2022). Development of a wellness program for nursing students during a pandemic. Nursing Education Perspectives, 43(5), 333–334. https://doi.org/10.1097/.01.NEP.0000000000001016
Karaca, A., Yildirim, N., Cangur, S., Acikgoz, F., & Akkus, D. (2019). Relationship between mental health of nursing students and coping, self-esteem, and social support. Nurse Education Today, 76, 44–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2019.01.029
Moran, M. K., Flynn Makic, M. B., McGladrey, L., Cook, P. F., & Peterson, K. (2023). Student-led stress reduction support groups: A qualitative program evaluation. The Journal of Nursing Education, 62(12), 711–715. https://doi.org/10.3928/01484834-20231006-09
Onieva-Zafra, M. D., Fernández-Muñoz, J. J., Fernández-Martínez, E., García-Sánchez, F. J., Breu-Sánchez, A., & Parra-Fernández, M. L. (2020). Anxiety, perceived stress and coping strategies in nursing students: A cross-sectional, correlational, descriptive study. BMC Medical Education, 20(370). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02294-z
Stubin C. A., Ruth-Sahd, L., Dahan, T.A. (2024). Promoting nursing student mental health wellness: The impact of resilience-building and faculty support. Nurse Educator, 49(3), 119-124. doi:10.1097/NNE.0000000000001535
Sigma Membership
Iota Mu
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Other
Keywords:
Stress and Coping, Instrument and Tool Development, Health and Well-being, Nursing Students
Recommended Citation
Franco, Hollis; Weaver, Roberta Christy; Opton, Laura; and Veesart, Amanda L., "Enhancing Nursing Student Well-Being: Development and Impact of a Wellness Algorithm" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 171.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/presentations_2025/171
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Enhancing Nursing Student Well-Being: Development and Impact of a Wellness Algorithm
Seattle, Washington, USA
Stress and anxiety are prevalent among nursing students, who encounter numerous academic, social, and personal pressures throughout their education (Franco et al., 2022; Oneiva-Zafra et al., 2020). Factors such as life events, financial issues, domestic conflicts, food insecurity, and preexisting mental health conditions amplify stress levels, impacting academic performance and overall well-being (Karaca et al., 2019; Moran et al., 2023). Studies have shown that supportive faculty behaviors correlate with reduced levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among undergraduate nursing students (Stubin et al., 2024). Responding to these needs, the School of Nursing recognized the importance of proactive support and initiated the development of a wellness algorithm to help faculty identify and address student well-being concerns effectively.
This project describes implementation of a wellness algorithm to foster the health and well-being of students within academic settings, providing a structured pathway for early intervention and support for students experiencing a range of wellness challenges.
The wellness algorithm categorizes student concerns into four levels, represented by a color-coded system. Green signals general anxiety; yellow denotes financial concerns; orange indicates the potential need for a welfare check; and red represents an immediate threat to self or others. Faculty are trained to respond to each level accordingly, allowing the wellness department to address student needs systematically and effectively.
Since the wellness algorithm was introduced, there has been a marked increase in faculty referrals, reflecting both the increased mental health needs among students and the tool's effectiveness. Beginning with 85 referrals in Fall 2019, the numbers have consistently risen, reaching a peak of 211 referrals in Spring 2024. This increase highlights the critical role of structured support systems in academic settings. The algorithm has facilitated timely access to essential student resources.
The wellness algorithm has been recognized as a model intervention by the health sciences center institution and serves as a framework for other health professions programs aiming to improve student support. The algorithm’s success highlights its potential for replication across educational institutions, contributing to enhanced student health and well-being support and promoting a holistic approach to nursing education.
Description
Nurse educators are increasingly challenged to support students' mental health and wellness. This project describes developing and implementing a wellness algorithm structure to support faculty in identifying, triaging, and referring students for wellness resources.