Academic and Clinical Stress Among B.Sc. Nursing Students: A Narrative Review of Causes, Effects, and Coping Strategies

Abstract

Academic and clinical stress is a major challenge among B.Sc. Nursing students due to the demanding nature of nursing education. Nursing students are required to balance theoretical learning with practical clinical exposure, which often leads to physical, emotional, and psychological stress. The present narrative review aimed to identify the major causes, effects, and coping strategies related to academic and clinical stress among nursing students. Relevant literature published between 2015 and 2024 was reviewed using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and CINAHL. The findings revealed that academic workload, examinations, fear of clinical errors, lack of confidence, time management difficulties, and clinical responsibilities are major contributors to stress. Stress negatively affects students’ physical health, emotional wellbeing, academic achievement, and clinical performance. Common symptoms include fatigue, anxiety, sleep disturbances, poor concentration, and reduced motivation. Effective coping strategies such as relaxation techniques, counseling, social support, physical activity, and proper time management were found to reduce stress levels among students. The review concludes that institutional support, faculty guidance, counseling services, and stress management interventions are essential for promoting the wellbeing and professional development of nursing students.