Abstract

Objective

To determine the levels of stress among students in the Jamaican clinical setting and describe the perceived contributing factors to this stress.

Methods

This cross sectional study of 106 second year students enrolled at two schools of nursing in Jamaica used a 30- item self-administered questionnaire to gather data on levels of stress and contributing factors. Participants were asked to rate the levels of stress experienced (scale 0-5, where 5 was highest). Data were analyzed using SPSS® v 19 for Windows®.

Results

The response rate was 98% (106/108) and 97.2% were females. The average age of respondents was 23.16 ± 9.01 years. The majority of participants were single (78.3%) and resident in Kingston and St. Andrew (61.3%). The level of stress experienced in the clinical setting was rated 3.48 ± 1.3/5; financial difficulties (3.17 ± 1.6/5) and interactions with unit staff (3.15 ± 1.4/5) were rated the greatest contributors to stress. Students experienced fear of harming the patient (50%) and only 24% expressed consistent confidence. Except for the interactions with preceptors (p < 0.05), there were no differences in levels of stress between schools.

Conclusion

Students enrolled at two nursing schools experienced moderately high levels of stress in the clinical environment. Financial concerns and interaction with ward staff were significant sources of stress. Collaborative strategies to address stress in the clinical areas are imperative.