Graduate nursing student stressors during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted graduate nursing students at work, home, and school. Stress can influence the ability to focus, study, and may delay continuation in graduate school.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the stressors of graduate nursing students during the pandemic.

Method: A prospective, descriptive, online survey design was used to identify graduate nursing student stressors during the pandemic at one educational institution in the United States. Questions related to employment, COVID-19 exposure, institutional support, future graduate plans were summarized for the total sample and stratified by program (MS, DNP, PhD). Changes in a total stress score were evaluated pre and post onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: A total of 222 graduate nursing students completed the survey. The vast majority of students were employed before the pandemic and a significant decrease in employment occurred during the pandemic (97.3% to 90.1%, p < .001). Overall stress increased (p < .001). The increased total stress was associated with students participating in clinical rotations (q = 0.024) and having a change in work hours (q = 0.022).

Conclusions: Nursing schools need to address graduate student concerns during the pandemic, including having clear communication platforms and offering support services.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic; Graduate nursing students; Resilience; Stressors; Survey study.