Female Sex and Living in a Large City Moderate the Relationships between Nursing Students’ Stress Level, Perception of Their Studies, and Intention to Practice Professionally: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

One way to increase nursing retention is to expand the number of nursing education programs; however, a more cost-effective initial step would be to ensure that each graduate will start a professional career. Nursing studies expose students to prolonged and uncontrolled stress that negatively affects their professional identity and health. Two hundred and fifty-four nursing students participated in this study. The data were obtained using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), a proprietary questionnaire on the students’ perception of their study, intention to practice in the future, and other metrics. Among our sample, a dozen students were unsure that they would enter the nursing profession. Stress levels in women were higher than in men. Respondents indicated that they were afraid of the return of the pandemic. This analysis was significant among people living in large cities. Based on our findings, five themes should be prioritised: favourable study environment and adequate competencies (including implementation of stress management techniques, especially among women and students living and studying in large cities), appropriate working hours, quality of practical classes, and quality of personal protective equipment.