Sources of Stress and Coping Behaviours in Clinical Practice among Baccalaureate Nursing Students
Wejdan A. Khater, RN; Laila M. Akhu-Zaheya, RN, PhD; Insaf A. Shaban, RN, RM, DMid A bstract The purpose of this study is to assess stress level and sources of stress among nursing students in Jordan, as well as identifying the coping strategies utilized by nursing students. Participants included 597 nursing students from two faculties of Nursing in Jordan. A descriptive design was employed in this study. Participants were asked to complete demographic data, a perceived stress scale (PSS) and a coping behaviour inventory (CBI) scale. Results showed that of the participants, 286 (47.82%) had stress levels above the mean. The most common type of stressors perceived were related to assignment followed by stress related to patients’ care and stress from nursing staff and teachers. The most common coping behaviour utilized by the students was problem solving. Clinical educators and clinical staff should appreciate the complexity of students’ responses to stress, and as such, should not follow general principles in dealing with students in their clinical practice.

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