Assessment of Challenges Faced and Coping Strategies Adopted by Nursing Students in Psychiatric Ward of Selected Hospitals

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the challenges faced and coping strategies adopted by nursing students in psychiatric ward.

Materials and Methods: An quantitative research approach with descriptive study design was used for the study. The study was conducted at selected hospitals of selected city. The sample comprised 140 3rd-year basic B.Sc. Nursing students posted in the psychiatric ward of the selected hospital of selected city. Sample was selected using non-probability convenient sampling technique. Data were collected using a self-structured Likert scale on challenges faced by nursing students in psychiatric ward; questionnaire which comprises 35 items is scored on a rating scale. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In that Fishers exact test for association of coping strategies adopted by nursing students in psychiatric ward with their demography.

Results: The results of this study showed that nursing students were using a variety of strategies to cope with work-related stress in the clinical setting. To actively deal with the clinical setting’s stress, participants used strategies to develop their professional competency, correct their mistakes, confront stressful situations, and reflect on stressful issues. Development of professional competency was one of their most important strategies for coping with the stress of the clinical environment. In this study, 4% of the students had moderate coping (Score 37–72) and 96% of them had good coping.

Conclusion: The findings of the study concluded that the 4% of the students had moderate coping and 96% of them had good coping.