Abstract
AIM: The aim of the study was to examine how first-year Finnish nursing students perceive stress and the coping strategies they use in the clinical learning environment.
BACKGROUND: Stress from the clinical learning environment is a recurrent problem in nursing education. This topic has not been explored in the Finnish context.
METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study using data from 189 first-year nursing students. Students completed the Perceived Stress Scale and Coping Behavior Inventory; t-tests and Pearson correlation analyses were performed.
RESULTS: Our sample rarely experienced stress, with a mean stress score of 1.07 (SD = 0.49). A commonly reported stressor was lack of professional knowledge and skills (M = 1.49, SD = 0.82). Transference was the most common coping strategy.
CONCLUSION: Our findings may help nursing teachers understand stressors in the clinical learning environment and support their students to use effective coping strategies, such as problem-solving and optimistic attitudes.