Rationale
The impact of nursing programs on students is significant, influencing their mental health, physical well-
being, and academic performance. The challenging nature of coursework, clinical training, and patient
care responsibilities often contributes to stress, fatigue, and emotional exhaustion. Many students
struggle with time management, maintaining personal relationships, and coping with the high academic
expectations. Stress and ways of coping among first-year nursing students in Turkey. The study revealed
that students experienced stress due to academic workload, clinical practice, and interpersonal
relationships. Coping strategies utilized included positive reinterpretation, planning, and seeking
emotional support. The findings suggest that nursing education programs should incorporate stress
management training to help students develop effective coping mechanisms (Bektaş et al., 2018).
According to Gafoor et al. (2024), who performed a qualitative study to investigate the way that
students handle this transition. The students explained how they struggle to transition into the university
space, and how this tension impacts their performance and well-being. There is some usage of various
strategies likes social support and discussing the problem with others or to involve in several forms of
social problem solving, time administration and behavioral/ cognitive minimization. Access to sufficient
resources and systems of support are important to creating a more seamless transition for the first year
nursing student.
Similarly, Dias et al. (2024), who examined stressors and coping strategies among nursing students
during their first clinical placement in the United Arab Emirates. The study identified a range of
challenges, including fear of error, heavy workload, and desire for good clinical performance as
contributors to the frontline stressors. Students coped with these stressors using strategies including
mentorship, peer collaboration, and self-reflection. Multiple evidence based programs, such as those
implementing writing exercises and relaxation techniques achieve sufficient attention to the anxiety
levels among nursing students are extremely high.
Balancing academic commitments with personal life necessitates good time management and resilience.
The shift from high school to university life requires flexibility, and weak coping mechanisms may result
in burnout or attrition. Alshahrani et al. (2018), observed that voicing frustrations to peers is a popular
coping method among student nurses, highlighting the importance of social support throughout this
transition.
Student nurses manage stress through a variety of tactics, including problem-focused coping, emotion-
focused coping, and seeking social support. Problem-solving and social support are two of the most
often employed tactics to help students navigate the demands of their education. Also, Bodys-Cupak et
al. (2021), said that active coping techniques, such as seeking help, are popular among student nurses,
although the use of psychoactive substances is rare.
The coping mechanisms employed by student nurses are a focus of various studies, indicating a
widespread application of both active and passive strategies to handle stress during nursing education
(Labrague et al., 2018). This indicates that regardless of culture or location, nursing students face similar
pressures and therefore resort to a variety of coping methods. Active coping strategies typically involve
problem-solving and seeking support from peers, while passive strategies may consist of avoidance or
disengagement. These insights highlight the necessity for educational institutions to recognize diverse
coping styles and develop adequate support systems for stress management within nursing programs.
In the Philippines, student nurses face distinct cultural and educational environments that shape their
experiences. Understanding local stressors and coping strategies is critical for creating customized
support systems that address specific requirements in this location. Addressing the issues confronting
Level I student nurses necessitates a thorough grasp of their experiences from both global and local
perspectives. Implementing appropriate support networks and coping mechanisms is critical for
increasing student resilience, academic success, and general well-being. Level 1 student nurses
encounter substantial obstacles as they begin their nursing education, which frequently involves coping
with academic pressure, emotional challenges, and the demands associated with clinical practice. The
combination of academic demands, clinical duties, and emotional labor can adversely affect their mental
health and academic performance. Research by Samong (2024), indicated that academic pressure is a
significant contributor to the mental health and academic success of first-year student nurses.
A variety of studies have investigated the prevalence of anxiety, perceived stress, and coping strategies
among nursing students, highlighting a significant concern within nursing education. Onieva-Zafra et al.
(2020), conducted a cross-sectional study revealing that high levels of anxiety and perceived stress are
common among nursing students. This research established a clear correlation between perceived stress
and the reliance on maladaptive coping strategies, suggesting the need for educational interventions to
alleviate anxiety and foster more adaptive coping techniques.
Building on this, Mohamed et al. (2024), studied predictors of academic and clinical stress specifically.
This study identified several key factors contributing to stress, including academic workload,
expectations in clinical performance, and personal life challenges. Effective coping practices, such as time
management, seeking support from faculty, and engaging in self-care routines, were found to mitigate
stress levels. These results underscore the necessity for robust support systems within nursing programs
to comprehensively address the multifaceted nature of stress experienced by students.
Further expanding on these insights, Labrague (2024), conducted an umbrella review that synthesized
findings from multiple studies regarding stress levels, sources of stress, and coping mechanisms among
student nurses. The review confirmed that nursing students frequently experience moderate to high
stress levels, primarily attributed to the demands of academic and clinical responsibilities. Common
coping strategies identified included problem-solving, seeking social support, and using relaxation
techniques. This review stresses the importance of integrating stress management and coping skills
training within nursing curricula, suggesting that such additions could better equip students to handle
the challenges they will face in their professional roles.
The anxiety of the nursing students has become an upward moving concern as it is believed to have
different obstacles that can help in production and subsequently influence their overall presentation.
Galvan et al. (2022), examined the wide range of stressors faced by nursing students and the strategies
they use to cope. The objective behind their study was to prepare some comprehensive program which
will facilitate the students to cope against stress which is prevalent in nursing education environment.
These results shed light on the importance of coping strategies and stress relief, and indicate that
schools should develop comprehensive programs to meet these needs.
Academic stress and health behaviors of nursing students. This study examined the associations
between academic pressure and healthy and unhealthy behaviors and highlighted the need for
institutional recognition of the impacts of stress exposure on students' lifestyle behaviors. According to
Quinto (2024), research suggests that stress management doesn't just need to emphasize academic
support but also incorporate healthy behavioral practices. Collectively, these studies highlight the crucial
need for a systems-based approach to student well-being within nursing programs, and promote
initiatives that cultivate resilience and wellness in tomorrow's health practitioners.
This study aims to investigate the impact of nursing program to student and their coping mechanism,
focusing on academic performance, social, and psychological challenges. Furthermore, the research
intends to investigate the coping strategies that students employ to address these challenges, which
include time management, peer support, faculty mentorship, and institutional resources. By examining
these elements, the study aims to offer recommendations for enhancing both the academic experience
and overall well-being of student nurses.
