Relationship between physical exercise and stress in nursing

Nursing is known as one of the most stressful professions due to the high physical, mental, and emotional demands associated with its care activities and the work environment in which it is carried out. Factors such as workload, high patient demand, irregular shifts and constant exposure to emotionally stressful situations contribute to a challenging work environment that can affect the well-being of nursing professionals. The ability to overcome these difficulties is therefore essential, as it not only impacts the health and quality of life of nurses but also the safety of the care received by patients. One of the tools for coping with stress is physical exercise, which has been shown to have an impact on stress levels and improve overall health. However, in the field of nursing, the relationship between stress and physical exercise remains largely unexplored. Due to their work and personal characteristics, nurses face various barriers such as lack of time, multiple jobs, and financial constraints, among other factors that limit their access to self-care strategies. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to describe the relationship between exercise and perceived stress in nursing students and alumni of a private university in Rosario, Argentina, based on a cross-sectional, non-experimental design. The study seeks to identify specific aspects such as perceived stress levels, characterise physical exercise practices among respondents, and establish possible relationships between these variables: the physical and mental health of nursing staff. The results are expected to provide valuable information on how various personal and work-related factors condition the perception of stress and how the implementation of tools such as physical exercise can influence the perception of stress. The results obtained are expected to provide evidence on factors that influence the impact of stress, as well as the impact of physical activity, in order to develop health strategies that promote tools for coping with difficult situations, thereby improving quality of life and professional performance and preventing injuries and disabilities due to physical and emotional injuries.