Examination of nursing students' anxiety levels related to clinical practice with respect to peer support

Purpose To investigate the relationship between stress and anxiety levels of nursing students at during their first clinical practice. Design and Methods Designed as a quasi-experimental study with a study group (n = 13) and a control group (n = 13) among nursing students at a university. Findings Students who practiced in the clinic for the first time experienced stress and anxiety, and their stress levels increased with high levels of state anxiety. The stress and anxiety decreased using peer support of the study group there was no change in the control group. Implications for Nursing Practice It is recommended that nursing students who enter clinical practice for the first time use peer support to reduce stress and anxiety in clinical practice.

Automated summary

During their first clinical practice, nursing students experienced stress and anxiety, especially with high levels of state anxiety. Peer support from the study group helped reduce stress and anxiety, while there was no change in the control group.