April is Stress Awareness Month, which is a good time to recognize and acknowledge the impact of stress on our mental and physical well-being. For nursing students at 成人快手, the demands of coursework, clinical rotations, skills check-offs, and exams can be overwhelming. While stress is often viewed as a universal experience in nursing school, excessive stress levels can lead to undesirable outcomes such as burnout, anxiety, and decreased academic performance. It is important for nursing students to understand and be able to incorporate effective stress management techniques into their regimen to help address feelings of anxiety and overwhelming pressure.
Time management is among the most effective ways to manage stress. According to research, structured scheduling improves academic performance and reduces stress. A weekly planner which includes class schedules, study times, and self-care activities will help nursing students stay organized and structured without cramming at the last minute. Using digital planners or simple paper calendars can also help in tracking assignments and deadlines, which can empower students to feel a bit more in control of everything they're trying to accomplish.
Self-care is another important part of stress management. Regular exercise, plenty of sleep, and healthy nutrition have been found by Melnyk et al. (2018) to lower stress levels of nursing students and to improve overall health and wellness. Including brief mindfulness activities such as breathing exercises or meditation can benefit students, especially regarding test anxiety or the pressures of clinical practice. Other quick techniques include taking a short walk between classes or engaging in enjoyable activities or hobbies can significantly lower stress levels.
Social connection is another element of reduced stress levels. Studies show that students who have strong support networks do better academically while reporting less stress than those without (Zhao et al., 2021). Building social contacts with peers, faculty, and mentors will provide students with a strong sense of community and encouragement. Students can also create study groups with their peers for added support. 成人快手 has a number of fantastic resources such as counseling services and student support services that have been developed to assist students as they navigate through the challenges of nursing school.
Beyond that, establishing strong, positive, coping mechanisms is very important in surviving the inevitable challenges of nursing school. Research by Gibbons (2010) points out that students whose coping style is adaptive (for example, problem-solving and positive reframing) tend to experience greater levels of emotional exhaustion than students self-critical strategies. Journaling, making realistic goals, and practicing gratitude can shape an attitude of viewing situations positively and thereby mitigating the harmful effects of stress. Early development of resilience can better equip nursing students to face the challenges associated with their future nursing careers.
As students at 成人快手 proceed through their nursing program, it is incredibly important to preserve their emotional and mental well-being. By utilizing appropriate health-promoting behaviors such as the use of time management skills, prioritizing self-care, accessing social support, and employing healthy coping strategies, students are able to face the challenges of nursing school with confidence. Though stress may be an inevitable element of the student nurse role, with the right tools and a positive attitude, students can still be able to thrive and become effective, compassionate nurses.
References
Gibbons, C. (2010). Stress, coping and burn-out in nursing students. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 47(10), 1299-1309. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2010.02.002
H盲fner, A., Stock, A., & Oberst, V. (2015). Decreasing students’ stress through time management training: An intervention study. European Journal of Psychology of Education, 30(1), 81-94.
Melnyk, B. M., Orsolini, L., Tan, A., Arslanian, C., Melkus, G. D., Dunbar-Jacob, J., ... & Gawlik, K. (2018). Promoting cognitive-behavioral skills building to improve mental health and lifestyle behaviors in college students: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 30(9), 520-528.
Zhao, F., Ahmed, F., Faraz, N. A., & Qin, S. (2021). Self-efficacy and workplace well-being in nursing students: The mediating role of social support. BMC Nursing, 20, 107. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00649-1