Factors Associated With Stress Among Second Year Student Nurses During Clinical Training in Jamaica

The aim of this study is to determine the levels of stress among students in the Jamaican clinical setting and describe the perceived contributing factors to this stress. This cross-sectional study of 106 second year students enrolled at 2 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 Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® Version 19 for Windows®. 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 < .05), there were no differences in levels of stress between schools. Students enrolled at 2 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.