Integrated mental health nursing program to reduce stigma and strengthen clinical readiness
Effect of an Integrated Mental Health Nursing Educational Program on Stigma, Cognitive Flexibility, and Clinical Readiness Among Nursing Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study
This 6-week program will try to reduce stigma, increase cognitive flexibility, and improve clinical readiness for undergraduate nursing students during their psychiatric rotation.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 240 (estimated) |
| Ages | 20 Years to 24 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Alexandria University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Beheira, Damanhour) |
| Trial ID | NCT07517861 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This quasi-experimental one-group pretest–posttest study will be conducted at the Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University with a convenience sample of about 240 undergraduate nursing students during their second clinical rotation. The 6-week Integrated Mental Health Nursing Educational Program combines lectures, interactive discussions, reflective exercises, case-based learning, and supervised clinical experiences. Outcomes—stigma, cognitive flexibility, and clinical readiness—will be measured before and after the program using validated instruments including the Opening Minds Stigma Scale for Health Care. Changes in pre- and post-intervention scores will be analyzed to determine whether the program is associated with improvements in attitudes and preparedness for psychiatric nursing practice.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Undergraduate nursing students at the Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University enrolled in the psychiatric nursing course during the second clinical rotation of the 2025–2026 academic year who have no prior psychiatric nursing education or clinical exposure and provide informed consent.
Not a fit: Students who already have prior psychiatric nursing coursework or clinical experience, those who do not complete the program or the pre/post assessments, or learners in different programs or locations are unlikely to gain additional benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more compassionate and competent psychiatric nursing care because students would enter practice with less stigma and greater clinical readiness.
How similar studies have performed: Previous education-based interventions for nursing and medical students have often reduced stigma and improved preparedness, so similar integrated teaching approaches have some supporting evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the psychiatric nursing course at the Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University * Students assigned to the second clinical rotation during the second semester of the 2025-2026 academic year * Students who have not previously studied psychiatric nursing * Students with no prior clinical exposure to psychiatric patients * Students who are willing to participate and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Students who have previously studied psychiatric nursing * Students with prior experience caring for psychiatric patients in hospital or clinical settings * Students who refuse to participate * Students who do not complete the pre-test or post-test assessments
Where this trial is running
Beheira, Damanhour
- Faculty of Nursing, Damanhour University — Beheira, Damanhour, Egypt (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Heba Mohamed Abdelaal, Doctorate — Alexandria University, Faculty of Nursing
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.