Nursing students' stress and coping strategies during clinical training in KSA

Objective: Nursing students are exposed to several stressors during their studies and training. The aim of this study is to assess the degree of stress experienced by nursing students at Albaha University, KSA and the coping strategies they subsequently employ.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted by a simple random sampling technique on 125 nursing students during their clinical practice. The data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic variables, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Coping Behavior Inventory.

Results: Of the 125 participants, 48% were male and 52% were female. The mean age was 21 ± 1.56 years, and they were mostly single 110 (88%). Approximately 65 (52%) were very satisfied and 41 (32.8%) were satisfied with their clinical practice. The main stressors were noise (20; 16%), moving location (nine; 7.2%), social interaction (seven; 5.6%), and personal illness (seven; 5.6%). The perceived stress provoking factors included taking care of patients (1.56 ± 0.45), assignments and workload (1.60 ± 043), lack of professional knowledge and skills (1.24 ± 0.45), field of practice (1.47 ± 0.49), peers and daily life (1.89 ± 0.67), and teachers and nursing staff at hospitals (1.45 ± 079). The strategies used by students to minimise stress included taking a problem-solving approach (1.84 ± 067), staying optimistic (1.56 ± 076), transference (1.34 ± 1.20), and avoidance (1.23 ± 056).

Conclusion: The nursing students in the study cohort were exposed to moderate stress due to different stressors. In response, they frequently used a problem-solving approach and avoidance. However, a standard protocol by institutions is required to help reduce stress among nursing students.