The pilot study explored the effects of a mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention on nurses' perceived stress (PS) and compassion. A quasi experimental pre-test-post-test design was used. Nurses (n=90) working at three university teaching hospitals completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Compassion Scale (CS) at the beginning of the MSBR intervention and 64 completed the scales at the end of the intervention. The 64 matched data sets were analysed using the ttest, Chi Square test and ANOVA. The findings indicated that the nurses' perceived stress was significantly reduced after the intervention. Notably, compassion scores were increased after the intervention, and this finding was significant for nurses working at one of the hospitals. There were no significant differences between results from a six week or eight week MBSR intervention. The results suggest that a MBSR can impact positively on nurses' perceived stress and also enhance nurses' compassion. MBSR may well be a suitable self-care, stress management intervention that can effectively teach nurses coping skills to assist them manage daily stressors inherent in their home and work life.