Does Clinical Stress Squelch Nursing Students' Pediatric Nursing Competency? Examining Stressor Perceptions

Objective: This study aimed to determine nursing students' pediatric nursing competency and clinical stress levels, identify the demographic and clinical variables affecting these levels, and examine the predictive role of clinical stressors on pediatric nursing competency. Materials and Methods: 239 third and fourth-year nursing students participated in this cross-sectional, descriptive study. The Nursing Students' Perceptions of Clinical Stressors Scale (NSPCSS), the Pediatric Nursing Competency Scale for Nursing Students (PNCS), and a Sociodemographic Information Form were used to gather data. Results: A moderate negative correlation was found between pediatric nursing competency and clinical stressors. Grade level, gender, grade point average, willingness to work in the field of pediatrics, inappropriate clinical situations, inappropriate instructor behaviors, and the instructor's teaching attitude were identified as significant predictors of pediatric nursing competency. Conclusion: It was shown that nursing students' pediatric nursing competency declined as their clinical stress levels improved. To support student competence, it is advised to improve the clinical learning environment and the relationships between instructors and students.Keywords: Professional Competence, Stress, Nursing Student, Pediatric Nursing.