Prevalence of Work Related Psychological Stress and Work Ability among Nursing Students: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Nursing is seen as an apparently stressful occupation, as nurses assume the role of caregiversand supervisors for their patients and also become role models and educators for their families and workingenvironment. Nursing students don’t differ from other category of students as they actually experience more stresswhen compared with them. One of the reasons of experiencing more stress by nursing students is that majority ofthem are younger and middle-aged group. A high level of occupational stress has been found to reduce nursingquality and working ability. So, the aim of this study was to find the prevalence rate of work related psychologicalstress and work ability among nursing students.Method: A short form questionnaire was prepared which consisted of survey related questions from PerceivedStress Scale and Work Ability Index. Total 101 nursing students were selected on the basis of selection criteria andthe questionnaire was distributed amongst them. Data analysis using scientific calculation showed that there washigh prevalence rate of moderate level of perceived stress among nursing students but their working ability wasexcellent in context with their physical and psychological demands.Conclusion: There was significant prevalence rate of work related psychological stress but working ability was notso much affected among nursing students.