ASSOCIATED FACTORS OF STRESS AMONG NURSING STUDENTS IN THEIR CLINICAL SETTINGS

Abstract

Stress is an important phenomenon because it may affect students' learning and productivity. The objective of this study was to estimate the association of student stress with their clinical factors among nursing students, Karachi, Pakistan. This study used an analytical descriptive cross-sectional study design at 12 nursing schools in Karachi conducted from July 10-29, 2009. The sample comprised of 374 students randomly selected from nursing homes. The data was collected through the “Cohen's Students' Stress and Coping Inventory”. Results showed that physical status of the patients, condition of the client assigned, interaction with staff nurse, insufficient time, handling an emergency situation, being in a new environment and exposure to contagious diseases, are significantly associated with nursing student stress. This study concludes that nursing students at clinical placement suffer from stress with modifiable factors, which needs urgent attention by the respective governing bodies so that any untoward consequences may be prevented through timely identification of the students undergoing extreme stress.