A review of the literature regarding stress among nursing students during their clinical education

BACKGROUND: There has been increased attention in the literature about stress among nursing students. It has been evident that clinical education is the most stressful experience for nursing students. AIM: The aim of this paper was to critically review studies related to degrees of stress and the type of stressors that can be found among undergraduate nursing students during their clinical education. METHODS: The search strategy involved the utilization of the following databases: MEDLINE (Medical Literature on-Line), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), PsycINFO (Psychology Information) and PubMed. Keywords were stress, undergraduate nursing students, clinical practice. The review included those studies published between 2002 and 2013, conducted in any country as long as reported in English, and including a focus on the clinical practice experience of nursing students. Thirteen studies met the eligibility criteria. RESULTS: Four themes were identified: initial clinical experience, comparison between different academic years, cross-cultural comparison, and eustress aspects of clinical experience. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: This review expands current knowledge in the area of stress in clinical settings and calls for further research. Nursing teachers should utilize the findings of this review to direct their students during clinical practice. Moreover, hospital administrators need to promote policies to promote a training environment where students are supported and inspired.