Exploring the Stressors in Novice Nursing Students during Clinical Practicum: A Cross-Sectional Study

During nursing education, novice students frequently encounter stressors that can disrupt their learning and performance, particularly in the clinical environment. These stressors, which include academic and interpersonal challenges, may affect both mental and physical health. Objective: To identify the stressors experienced by novice nursing students during clinical training. Methods: A survey was conducted with 200 first Nursing students from smt. Nagarathnamma college of nursing, Bangalore. Participants were selected through convenient sampling, and the Kezkak bilingual questionnaire was used to assess stressors during clinical training. Results: The most frequently reported stressors were assignments and workload (mean = 1.07, SD = 0.87), emotional environment (mean = 1.1, SD = 0.90), and interpersonal relationships with patients (mean = 1.09, SD = 0.96). The least reported stressors included lack of professional knowledge (mean = 1.11, SD = 0.87) and patient pain and suffering (mean = 1.04, SD = 0.90). Discussion: The findings suggest that workload, emotional challenges, and patient interactions significantly contribute to stress among novice nursing students. These results underscore the importance of providing students with coping mechanisms and support systems to navigate these challenges effectively. Conclusion: Educators should focus on strategies that reduce workload stress and improve emotional resilience, ultimately fostering a better learning environment.