Stressors and Coping Strategies Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students at Shifa College of Nursing Islamabad, Pakistan

Nursing education is stressful and students go through various pressures throughout their study period. It has been reported that nursing students may encounter different stressors; relating to their academia. These stressors serve as a source of stress and are believed to affect students’ health and academic performance.

Determine the stressors and coping strategies in nursing students studying at Shifa college of Nursing, Islamabad- Pakistan.

Analytical cross-sectional study was carried out and data was collected from 78 nursing students of all years of BSc. Nursing by using student's stress and coping inventory of Lazarus & Folk man (1984).

The score of stress level in nursing theory = 2.37, clinical experience = 2.35, College environment= 2.39 and social/personal environment= 251. The p-value of one way ANOVA amongst classes was significant for clinical experience (P = 0.000), college environment (P = 0.00) and social/personal environment (P = 0.000). Most common coping strategies used by the students were; discuss feeling with friends or class mates (Mean= 2.75), did what is expected of me (Mean= 2.84), self analysis to understand the situation better (Mean= 2.38), accept the situation (Mean= 3.1) and become involved in other activities (Mean2.75, SD= 0.99).

Significant stressors reported by the students are modifiable and can be reduced by changing assessment criteria, develop effective feedback system, strengthening the role of faculty advisors, training of faculties as counselors, providing recreational opportunities to students.