Coping and health in novice and experienced nursing students during clinical practice: a descriptive, differential and correlational analysis

Abstract

Aim: This study identifies the differences in novice and experienced nursing students' reports of coping and their relationship with health.Background: Clinical practice constitutes a particularly stressful training period in an academic context that activates many coping resources in students. However, there is little empirical evidence about the coping strategies used by novice and experienced nursing students during clinical practice. Both ineffective and adaptive efforts are manifested in health (physio-psycho-social symptoms).Methods: Cross-sectional research was performed using descriptive, differential and correlational procedures. This study was carried out with 357 students from all 3 years of a nursing diploma programme at a Spanish nursing college. Data were collected in 2008-2009. Findings:The results indicated that problem-focused coping (PFC) was used significantly more by students than emotion-focused coping (EFC). Both first and third-year students used PFC more frequently than second-year students. In contrast, second-year students used "avoidance" strategies more frequently than first-year students. The results also showed that emotion-focused coping significantly harmed student's health during their clinical practice, while problem-focused coping tended to be associated with fewer health problems, but not significantly. These results were the same for all students irrespective of the course or experience. Conclusion:This study provides tools for the development of prevention programmes in nursing schools based on the identification of healthy coping strategies. The paper proposes certain actions to support the development of psychoeducational stress coping programmes for clinical practice.

An integrative review on coping skills in nursing students: implications for policymaking

“…Jimenez‐Jimenez et al. () conducted a cross‐sectional study in 357 nursing students in Spain to compare self‐reported coping skills in novice and experienced nursing students. Nursing students were identified who used a self‐confident approach when faced with stress such as ‘being optimistic when dealing with stressors’ and ‘having confidence when overcoming problems’.…”

“…; Jimenez‐Jimenez et al. ). Similarly, in two studies in Arab countries, students identified avoidance styles as their least frequently utilized ways of adapting to stressful events (Hamaideh et al.…”

“…Few studies examined the impact of certain coping strategies on health outcomes (Jimenez‐Jimenez et al. ; Sheu et al. ).…”

Association between senior nursing students’ perceived stress and learning environment in clinical practice

“…(2) What are the senior nursing students' responses to stress in clinical practice? (3) What are the stress coping strategies used by senior nursing students?…”

“…[1] Although growing literature view nursing clinical practice as a stressful experience that can cause negative consequences on both students' academic performance as well as their well-being. [2][3][4][5] Stress experienced by nursing students has profound effects on educational programs, on nurse employers, and the entire nursing profession. Stress not only jeopardize students' competencies, increase nursing shortage via increasing intention to leave the profession, but also endanger the entire quality of healthcare organizations.…”