Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies Among Newly Nurse Students in Clinical Practice

Abstract

The present study aimed at assessing the stress level and coping strategies among students who were newly in Practicing the clinical training in different hospitals, at the Nursing College, Princess Nourah University. The study design was a descriptive analytical one. The study was conducted at the beginning of second semester in the academic year 2015/2016. The sample consisted of  three tools for data collection: which included a socio-demographic profile sheet, two scales; Perceived Stress Scale-14(PSS 14) to assess stress level , and Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences (ACOPE) to assess The Students' coping strategies. Results revealed have that the percentage of stress level was higher in students among level five, with illiterate and non-working mothers, while the students whose fathers are working in a government work have a higher stress level than those whose fathers are not working in a government work. Results also showed that the long distance to reach Nursing School, the higher stress on the students, also, majority of subjects tend to use more of healthy coping strategies as compared to negative or unhealthy ones. The study recommended Presenting a psychological, social, and family consulting to the students who are highly stressed. In addition, education for the students according to the nature of the problems they face, clarify its causes, and how to treat it.

Keywords: stress, students, coping, university, clinical ,Nursing college.