STRESS AND COPING AMONG NURSING STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ABSTRACT

Background: The COVID-19 had profound effects on nurses' general health. The severity and extent of the COVID-19 epidemic means it is highly likely that health personnel will suffer from psychological stress as a result the direct contact they have with patients who are infected. The goal of this research is to assess the level of anxiety and stress behaviors in B.Sc Nursing students, and to determine the relationship between stress levels and levels of coping, and socio-demographic variables. Methods: This study was cross sectional study. The sample size consisted of 500 BSc nursing students and samples were selected using convenient sampling techniques and the data was collected through self-administered COVID 19 stress scale and COVID 19 coping scale. Results: The study revealed that majority of students (22 %) were male and (78%) were female. Result showed that only (8%) has mild stress, (91%) had moderate stress and had (1%) severe stress, and (2.2%) had poor coping, (96.8%) had average coping and (1%) good coping. There was negative significant correlation (r=-0.721) between stress and coping behaviour among nursing year nursing students. There was significant association between level of stress and demographic variables such as age, education of father and mother, occupation of father and mother and family income. Conclusion: Nursing students' stress levels should be examined on a regular basis, contributing variables should be recognized, and the nurse administrators should establish a guidance, counselling, and stress management program to especially manage the stress during pandemic.