COPING BEHAVIORS IN CLINICAL PRACTICE AMONG NURSING STUDENTS

Abstract

Coping behavior is a natural response of a person to stress. The capability to cope is the main characteristic for nursing students to adjust and manage their stress (Hamaideh, Al-Omari & Al-Modallal, 2017).  Stress can be controlled by applying the correct coping method to reduce negative thoughts, i.e., worries, loneliness, and anxiety. It is imperative for nursing students to be able to apply own coping mechanism to face stress during clinical practice. At the proposed study site, nursing students reported a high level of stress to achieve the targeted competency percentage set for core skills. A majority of nursing students lack in confidence to care for patients. A supportive environment is therefore crucial for nursing students to build their knowledge and skill competencies during clinical practice. Understanding how student nurses cope better to overcome their stress in the clinical settings is significant to promote more competent nurses in future.

Past literature (Ahmed & Mohammed, 2019; Chen & Hung, 2014; Hamaideh, Al-Omari & Al-Modallal, 2017; Shaban, Akhu-Zaheya & Khater, 2014) reported that problem-solving was the most commonly used coping method by nursing students during their clinical practice. Accordingly, majority of the nursing students were able to manage their stress with positive coping behaviors. In contrast, Chan, So & Fong (2009), and Singh, Sharma & Sharma (2011) indicated that most of the student nurses choose to use avoidance and transference behaviors as their coping mechanism to address stress in clinical practicum. Avoidance behavior refers to the intention of an individual to avoid a stressful situation (Hamaideh, Al-Omari & Al-Modallal, 2017). While transferring behavior refers to individual’s intention to divert oneself from a stressful situation (Hamaideh, Al-Omari & Al-Modallal, 2017). Frequent use of avoidance and transferring behaviors could lead to poorer physical, psychological and social health among students (Gurkova & Zelenikova, 2018; Labrague et al., 2018).  In a recent study, Latif & Nor (2019) found that religion practice is another commonly used coping strategy by Malaysian students. Majority of the students self-reported having positive coping behaviors.

According to Hamaideh, Al-Omari & Al-Modallal (2017), nursing students those who did not stay with families (t=2.048, p=0.043) applied positive coping behaviors compared to students who are staying with families. Another study by Labrague et al. (2018b) revealed a significant positive correlation between coping behaviors and age (r=0.224; p<0.001), gender (r=2.343, p=0.020). It is essential for nursing students to know their own coping behaviors while managing with stress in order to prevent negative consequences that could affect nursing professionalism and personal attribute.

Although coping is a continuous process that comes along with stress; there is no specific requirement for one to set a fixed coping behavior. Nursing students should be orientated well in terms of ward management, hospital settings and policies prior to each clinical posting. Nursing educators, tutors and clinical instructors carry vital role to continuously support the student nurses; motivate them to poses positive coping behaviors in managing stress; and help them to identify learning needs for effective coping management (Ahmed & Mohammed, 2019).