Psychological stress among nursing students during clinical training at Elsheikh Abdallah Elbadri University, Sudan: A cross-sectional study

Objective: To assess the levels and sources of psychological stress among nursing students during their clinical training. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 163 second, third and fourth-year nursing students undergoing clinical training at Elsheikh Abdallah Elbadri University, Sudan. Participants were selected using simple random sampling to ensure representativeness. Data were collected using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) which measures stress across six clinical domains. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Results: The majority of students were female (82.8%). Mean stress score was 84.7±13.16, indicating moderate stress levels. Most significant stressor was the lack of professional knowledge and clinical skills (mean =3.2± 0.9). Male students had significantly higher stress levels than females (p=0.047). Other stressors included interactions with teachers and nursing staff, environmental factors, and workload. Conclusion: Nursing students experience moderate levels of stress, primarily due to insufficient clinical skills and knowledge. Targeted interventions to improve students’ competence and support systems are recommended.