Assessment of Stress Among Undergraduate Nursing Students at Selected Nursing College, Puducherry

Stress is an inherent aspect of human life, affecting individuals' performance. Nursing education is notably stressful, with students facing academic and professional stressors. This study aimed to assess stress levels among B.Sc. nursing students in a college in Puducherry.

A descriptive quantitative research design involved 105 B.Sc. nursing students. Socio-demographic data were collected through a structured questionnaire, and stress levels were measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) by Cohen et al. (1983). Statistical analysis utilized SPSS version 20.

The majority of nursing students (65.7%) reported high-stress levels, while 32.4% indicated moderate stress, with only 1.9% reporting low stress. Certain socio-demographic factors, such as religion, accommodation, and number of friends, were associated with stress levels.

Initiating induction programs and mental health training at the beginning of the nursing course could help mitigate stress among undergraduate nursing students, benefiting their professional and personal well-being.