Stressors and Coping Strategies during Clinical Practice among Diploma Nursing Students.

Rusnani Ab Latif,Mohd Zarawi Mat Nor

doi:10.21315/mjms2019.26.2.10

Rusnani Ab Latif, Mohd Zarawi Mat Nor

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.21315/mjms2019.26.2.10

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Abstract

IntroductionConsistent with the significant of the stress issue in education, this study aimed to survey type of stressors and identifies the coping strategies used by diploma nursing students during clinical practices.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Kubang Kerian Nursing College, Kelantan which involved 346 respondents using simple random sampling method. The inclusion criteria were year one, two and three of nursing students who have clinical posting and voluntarily joining the study. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Brief COPE inventory were utilised in the data collection. Higher mean score indicates higher degree of stress.ResultsClinical assignments and workload were the main stressor (mean = 3.19, SD = 1.09). Religion approach was the most coping strategy applied (mean = 3.30, SD = 0.71). Pearson’s correlation coefficient test found that six domains of stressors during clinical practices (taking care of patients; clinical educators/instructors and ward staff; clinical assignments and workload; peers and nursing students from other college; lack of professional knowledge and skills and clinical environment) were statistically significant correlation with coping strategies, where P-value < 0.05.ConclusionClinical assignment was the main stressor among nursing students; therefore, successful activities should be promoted to help them in managing clinical assignment and enhancing knowledge in religion.

Highlights

Consistent with the significant of the stress issue in education, this study aimed to survey type of stressors and identifies the coping strategies used by diploma nursing students during clinical practices
Stress in nursing students is an area of growing concern and it may result in psychological distress, physical complaints, behavioural problems and poor academic performance
Detection of potential depression among nursing students is crucial since depression can lead to low productivity, minimised quality of life and suicidal tendencies

Summary

Introduction

Consistent with the significant of the stress issue in education, this study aimed to survey type of stressors and identifies the coping strategies used by diploma nursing students during clinical practices. Stress is a important issue in education because it has the potential to impede learning and performance [1]. Empirical research supports the view that nursing students suffer from stress in their clinical practice [2, 3]. Clinical practice is a crucial component in nursing education. When compared to students from other health-related disciplines, nursing students have been reported to experience higher levels of stress and more related physical and psychological symptoms [5, 6]. Students who experience psychological distress are more likely to experience depressive symptoms [7, 8]

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