Perceived Stress among North Indian Nursing Undergraduate Students

Abstract

In recent years there is a budding appreciation of the stresses involved in training of nursing students. The present study aimed to assess perceived stress in the undergraduate students studying in a nursing college located in northern India. It was a cross sectional study carried out at College of nursing, Maharishi Markandeshwar University, Mullana in the month of August 2011 using pretested self-administered questionnaire. Perceived stress score was measured using perceived stress scale. Responses of 282 students were included in the study. Out of a total of 282 respondents, 114 (40.4%) were male while 168 (59.6%) were female. The mean age of study subjects was 19.12 with a standard deviation of 1.5. The mean perceived stress score of all 282 students was 28.67 (S.D=5.32) with median of 26 (IQR=22-34). Female students had more perceived stress score (31.33) than male students (26.01). The maximum mean perceived stress score (29.66) was observed in 2nd year and least mean perceived stress score (26.28) was found in 3rd year students. The present study indicates of high levels of psychological disturbance in these nursing undergraduate students in the middle phase of the course. Hence, there is a need to take measures by the authorities to reduce stress among students.