The Experience of Stress Among Students of Nursing Schools

Abstract

This study looked into the level of stress and the symptoms of stress experienced by nursing students. The respondents are adolescents, female, in their 3rd Year level, single, living with their parents, eldest, living less than 1km. from school, with daily allowance of 100-150 Pesos and their first choice of course, is Nursing. Most stressful level for students was felt during Classroom activities and experiences followed by exposure in the Clinical area. The experience of stress can bring about physical symptoms to students. The choice, of course, is associated with the level of stress. Concerted efforts between the school and the affiliating hospital may be done to decrease the level of stress by providing an open, caring, and supportive learning environment to facilitate students' coping and increase self- efficacy. Seminars on time and classroom workload management may be given to students in order to increase their self-direction. The faculty may provide constructive feedback on the performance of the students and must be aware of the uniqueness and individuality of students in the learning process. Course requirements and strategies for instruction must be purposeful and innovative. For the Health Professionals and other personnel in the clinical area must show support and encouragement to students and consider them as an important member in providing care to patients. More intensive career orientation and counselling may be provided to Senior high school students before their enrollment in college in order for them to develop self- direction in their choice, of course, to be taken.