DETERMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STRESS LEVELS AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS OF NURSING STUDENTS ENTERING CLINICAL PRACTICE FOR THE FIRST TIME DURING THE PANDEMIC

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the relationship between the stress levels, problem solving skills of nursing students who attended the clinic for the first time during the pandemic period. Method: the sample consisted of 168 students who went to clinical practice for the first time during the pandemic. Data were collected using the "Sociodemographic Information Form", "Clinical Stress Questionnaire (CSQ)" and "Problem Solving Inventory (PSI)". Results: 57% of the students who participated in the study stated that they thought they might experience clinical stress due to reasons such as thinking that their professional knowledge and skills were not sufficient for practice, 61% thought of making mistakes, 79% feared harming the patient, and 58% feared Covid-19 transmission during clinical practice. The mean KSA total score was 26.15±8.46 and the mean PCE total score was 79.65±17.77. There was a statistically significant and moderate negative correlation between the mean KSA scores and the mean PCI scores (p<0.05). Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was found that the stress levels of nursing students who went into clinical practice for the first time during the pandemic period were low and their problem-solving skills were at a moderate level, and it was observed that as the stress levels of the students decreased, their problem-solving skills increased.