Efficacy of a mobile-based intervention for newly graduated nurses: A randomized controlled trial

Objective Newly graduated nurses often experience high job-related stress and psychological strain during their transition to clinical practice. Mobile-based interventions may provide flexible and accessible support for psychological outcomes, but evidence remains limited. This study examined the efficacy of MindMate, a mobile-based self-guided intervention integrating guided meditation with virtual plant interaction, on job stress, turnover intention, life satisfaction, and psychological capital among newly graduated nurses in South Korea. Methods A randomized controlled trial registered with the Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS), Republic of Korea (Registration No. KCT0010803) was conducted with newly graduated nurses assigned to either the experimental group (n = 26) or the control group (n = 30). The experimental group completed a four-week self-guided intervention using the MindMate application within a controlled research setting. Pre- and post-intervention data were collected through validated self-report scales. Analyses included independent t-tests, paired t-tests, ANCOVA, and Cohen’s d for effect size. Results The intervention significantly reduced job stress and improved psychological capital in the experimental group compared to the control group. Subdomain analysis revealed reductions in workload and role conflict stress and enhancements in self-efficacy and hope. However, no statistically significant differences were found in turnover intention or life satisfaction. Conclusion MindMate demonstrated efficacy in reducing job stress and enhancing certain aspects of psychological capital under controlled research conditions. Further studies are required to examine its effectiveness and scalability in real-world clinical environments.