Stress levels and sources of stress among bridging course nursing students at a private nursing education institution in Gauteng

Abstract

Background: Stress experienced for many nursing students is considered as a necessary and integral part of their nursing journey however not all students are able to adequately identify, manage and deal with this stress. Existing literature also reveals that nursing students do indeed experience high levels of stress. Purpose/Aim: The main aim of this study was to describe the stress levels, sources of stress and required support to reduce the stress of the bridging course nursing students at a private nursing education institution in Gauteng Method: This study adopted a cross-sectional design. Data were collected using the Expanded Nurses Stress Scale medium version tool. Data analysis: The data was captured on Microsoft excel, support was sought from a statistician for the design of the data capture sheet. The data were analysed by the researcher. Comparative statistics support was sought from a statistician. Setting: Data was collected at a purposively selected Private Nursing Education Institution in Gauteng. Main Findings: The setting and population sample used in this study was unique and the findings of the data analysis differ greatly from other studies conducted on nursing students outside of South Africa. The bridging course nursing students (n=136) at this private nursing education institution are highly stressed. The highest sources of their stress according to the ENSS medium version tool were Discrimination, death and dying, patients and their families, workload, conflict with physicians, and conflict with supervisors. The Bridging course nursing students would like to be supported in managing their stress through Professional Stress Management, Adequate Staffing when on duty, Emotional Support and Academic Staff Support. The findings of this study have answered the research question, by providing the current stress levels, sources of stress and what support is required to support the Bridging Course nursing students at the selected Private Nursing Education Institution in Gauteng.