“STRESSORS AND

COPING
STRATEGIES
ENCOUNTERED BY
STUDENT NURSES
DURING THEIR
CLINICAL
EXPERIENCE
IN THE COVID-19
PANDEMIC”

VIRGEN MILAGROSA COLLEGE OF

UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION NURSING
 
 Objectives of the Study

The general objectives of this research was to identify the types

of stressors encountered and the coping strategies by the student
nurses in their clinical practice with emphasis on socio-
demographic profile and the co-relation between the socio-
demographic profile and these stressors and coping strategies
by the Nursing students.

Specifically the objectives of this Research are to identify the

following
1.The socio-demographic profile of the Nursing students as
to:
A.Age
B.Sex
C.Parents’ average monthly income
2.Stressors perceived by Nursing students in clinical area as to:
A.Stress from Assignments and workloads
B.Stress from Taking care of patients
C.Stress from Clinical environment
D.Stress from Clinical Instructors and nursing staff
E.Stress from Peers and daily life
3.What were the coping strategies developed by these Nursing
students as to:
A.Inclination
B.Problem solving
C.Staying optimistic
D.Transference
4.Were there any significant relationship between the Demographic
profile and the stressors and coping strategies of the Nursing students
BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM
Covid-19 came as a shock that caused stress and
uncertainties and disrupted Educational and academic
activities not only in the classroom but also in the
clinical areas and in the conduct of nursing research
where modifications and adjustments needed to be
adapted. Learning challenges of student nurses in
clinical practice may cause stress which may directly
or indirectly hinder their performance especially
during the covid-19 pandemic. Prompted by the
indication of these challenges and uncertainties, the
researchers opted for this study.
 METHODS
A. Design: The research design for this study was the
descriptive survey with the use of questionnaires

B. Setting: The study was done in Virgen Milagrosa

University Foundation in San Carlos City, Pangasinan,
Philippines.

C. Respondents/Participants: 50 subjects of 4th year

nursing students of Virgen Milagrosa University
Foundation who were currently undertaking their
clinical practice were the total population used in this
study.
D.Sampling: No sampling procedure was performed since
the entire population of 50 was taken as respondents.
Inclusion criteria were being a 4th year Nursing Student of
VMUF and undertaking the clinical practice during
pandemic era of covid-19, and agreeing to participate in the
study. Students who due to one reason or the other and most
especially due to the ‘Fear of The Virus’ and who were
absent from the program at the time of data collection were
excluded from the study.

E. Tools: The statistical tools utilized were the Frequency

distribution and percentage, the 3-pt and 5-pt likert scales,
and the Pearson Co-relation coefficient
 FINDINGS
Frequency Distribution of Demographic Profile as to Age, Sex and Income
N= 50

FREQUENCY PERCENT
AGE 18 – 20 8 16.0
21 – 24 30 60.0
25 – 30 7 14.0
31 AND ABOVE 5 10.0
SEX MALE 11 22.0
FEMALE 39 78.0
INCOME BELOW 4,999 6 12.0
5,000 - 9,999 14 28.0
10,000 AND ABOVE 30 60.0

The stressors encountered by student nurses in clinical area were from

Assignments and workload, Taking care of patients, Clinical environment,
Teachers and nursing staff, and Peers and everyday life which were moderately
encountered. The student nurses agreed on developing different coping strategies
such as Inclination, Problem solving, Staying optimistic, and Transference. The
demographic profile were Age, Sex, and Monthly family income and these had a
significant relationship to the stressors encountered and coping strategies.
 RECOMMENDATIONS

The researchers recommended that the teaching of

positive coping strategies should be implemented in
the nursing curriculum prior to clinical placements.
Qualitative research focused on the students’
perception on their clinical experience may be helpful
for developing effective clinical teaching strategy in
nursing education. As clinical instructors,
understanding how their students cope with stress can
play a major role in stimulating a supportive healthy
environment in the nursing practice.
STRESSORS AND COPING STRATEGIES ENCOUNTERED BY
STUDENT NURSES DURING CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

RESEARCHERS:
Onyedikachi C. Akwuobi, Catherine J. Aterado, Angelyn J. Baga,
Malanie J. Calabag, Liezylyn J. Carrera, Lester I. Ikhine, Gerald S.
Mendoza

Rosalyn G. Rosal, R.Ph., MSPhar, MPH, Ph.D.

Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, Martin P. Posadas Ave.,
San Carlos City, Pangasinan.