A STUDY TO IDENTIFY THE PERCEIVED STRESS AMONG FIRSTYEAR BASIC B SC. NURSING STUDENTS IN A SELECTED COLLEGEOF NURSING IN KOLKATA (WEST BENGAL), INDIA

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the experience of the first year basic B Sc. nursing students, who are exposed to the clinical field of nursing and nursing profession for the first time and describe their sense of perceived stress. Objective: To assess the perceived stress among the first year basic B Sc. nursing students and to find out association between perceived stress and demographic variables. Method: A descriptive survey approach was taken at selected college of nursing. Total 67samples selected through non probability convenience sampling technique. A structured questionnaire used for demographic variables. The data was collected through the standardized tool of Cohen's perceived stress scale along with the rating scale of stress checklist. Result: Major findings of the study was found that out of 67 students, maximum of 43.8 28% have monthly family income of below Rupees 5000, 79.11% of the students were away from home first time, 20.89% students had factors like could not pursue other courses and 88.05% has never been exposed to the hospital environment before. Based on the stress score, 73.14% students whose score was between 11 to 20, were found to have mild stress. 23.8℅ whose score was between 21 to 30 had moderate stress and 2.98 ℅ students who scored between 0 to 10 were undergoing the least level of stress. It is recommended that further studies can be done with larger sample size and or among students of other professional courses. Conclusion/Outcome: The investigator observed that there was significant Association between perceived level of stress and the presence of precipitating factors i.e away from home first time, could not pursue other courses and monthly family income{chi square(2)=5.99 , P <0.05}. Other than this there was no significant Association between perceived stress with other selected variables.