Building student resources for the Kansas Center for Nursing Scholarship and Leadership

Abstract

The Kansas Center for Nursing Scholarship & Leadership (KCNSL) was recently created with the purpose of advancing nursing scholarship in Kansas through focused mentorship and broad-based collaboration. The Center is developing resources for nursing students, and stress management was identified as an area of need. High stress is common in nursing students and may negatively affect student success. The purpose of the study was to identify and describe sources of student stress and stress management strategies among nursing students. Senior nursing students from 13 pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing programs in Kansas were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to describe the experience of student stress and strategies for stress management. Sources of stress among participants (n=2) included concern about studying for exams, balancing competing time commitments, and meeting deadlines. Stress management strategies included taking breaks, exercising, playing video games, smoking, and spending time with friends. Findings related to the stress experience and suggestions for stress management will be displayed on the KCNSL website as a resource for other nursing students.