A sense of belonging and perceived stress among baccalaureate nursing students in clinical placements

Introduction: The rigorous efforts students put into baccalaureate nursing programs to become a professional nurse is compounded by their need to have a sense of belonging in their clinical placements. In addition, the students' perceived stress may contribute to their physiological and psychological wellbeing undermining academic achievements and confidence. Background: A sense of belonging and perceived stress have research history in psychological and sociological realms; but not used together in the nursing profession as applied in clinical placements. The Perceived Stress Scale is a psychological instrument used globally; however, the Belongingness Scale-Clinical Placement Experience (BES-CPE) measurement tool has not been used in published research in the United States. Methods: A descriptive correlational research design examining the relationship between a sense of belonging and perceived stress among baccalaureate nursing students in clinical placements. Three measurement tools were used for data collection: BES-CPE, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and demographic questionnaire. Students were able to access the online survey through SurveyMonkey (R). Participants: A national study was conducted using 1296 volunteer nursing students from the National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) database. These nursing students were currently enrolled in a baccalaureate nursing program, 18 years of age and completed at least one clinical experience. Results: The findings from this study revealed a statistically significant low inverse relationship (r = .277) between a sense of belonging and perceived stress among baccalaureate nursing students in their clinical placements. The findings also supported the use of BES-CPE as a reliable and valid measurement tool for nursing students in clinical placements. Conclusion: The results of this study supported the concept of a sense of belonging as a fundamental human need, having a positive influence and impact on students' learning, motivation and confidence. In contrast, perceived stress has negative consequences on the students' self-concept, learning skills and competence. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.