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Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine the levels of stress among students in the Jamaican
clinical setting and describe the perceived contributing factors to this stress. This
cross-sectional study of 106secondyear students enrolled at 2 schools of nursing in
Jamaica used a 30-item self-administered questionnaire to gather data on levels of
stress and contributing factors. Participants were asked to rate the levels of stress
experienced (scale: 0-5, where 5 was highest). Data were analyzed using Statistical
Package for the Social Sciences® Version 19 for Windows®. The response rate was 98%
(106/108), and 97.2% were females. The average age of respondents was 23.16 ± 9.01years.
The majority of participants were single (78.3%) and resident in Kingston and St.
Andrew (61.3%). The level of stress experienced in the clinical setting was rated
3.48 ± 1.3/5; financial difficulties (3.17 ± 1.6/5) and interactions with unit staff
(3.15 ± 1.4/5) were rated the greatest contributors to stress. Students experienced
fear of harming the patient (50%), and only 24% expressed consistent confidence. Except
for the interactions with preceptors (P < .05), there were no differences in levels
of stress between schools. Students enrolled at 2 nursing schools experienced moderately
high levels of stress in the clinical environment. Financial concerns and interaction
with ward staff were significant sources of stress. Collaborative strategies to address
stress in the clinical areas are imperative.