Scholarship – The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Student Anxiety

This episode of the NLN Nursing EDge Unscripted Scholarship track features Cristen Walker. Dr. Walker discusses her study on the impact of therapy dogs in reducing test anxiety among pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing students. The study involved 91 junior-level nursing students who interacted with therapy dogs for 30 minutes before taking an exam, with anxiety levels measured through heart rate, salivary cortisol, and a state-trait anxiety inventory. The results showed significant decreases in anxiety levels across all measures, highlighting the potential benefits of therapy dog interventions for student well-being. Dr. Walker also provides practical advice for schools interested in implementing similar programs, emphasizing the importance of proper planning and collaboration with therapy dog organizations.Learn more about Dr. Walker's work, The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Student Anxiety.Walker, C. The Impact of Therapy Dogs on Prelicensure Baccalaureate Nursing Student Test Anxiety. Nursing Education Perspectives, 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001042Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.