E-Learning

BENEFITS OF KNOWING LEVEL OF STRESS AND POTENTIAL STRESSORS AMONG RHIH NURSING STUDENTS DURING RESPONDING ON RESEARCH QUESTIONNAIRE OF ACADEMIA

On Sunday, 13/02/2021, Ruli Higher Institute of Health (RHIH) represented by Mr. HABIMANA Jean Felix, in charge of research, has welcomed a Guest named Dr. NYIRAHABIMANA Christine, a student in Mount Kenya University (MKU)/ Thika –Nairobi Campus, pursuing a PhD program in Nursing.  She was conducting research on the development of stress management Model   for Nurse Students studying in Schools of Nursing of Rwanda. RHIH Administration has authorized her to conduct the study, post presenting all requirements. The study was mix method with quantitative and qualitative approaches. The 27 students were enrolled in the study and were selected using a Cluster and convenient sampling. Then after,   focused group discussion was conducted among 10 students who last more than 6months within the Institute.

Mr. HABIMANA Jean Felix, in charge of Research at RHIH while welcoming the Guests and inspiring Students on process of data collection in Research.

The development of appropriate Model based on findings from this study will help different stakeholders to plan accordingly.  It was an opportunity for the students who participated in responding to the questionnaire to understand clearly the Stress, its predictors, coping strategies and finally the participants knew the Stress level.

Stress is a state of physical and psychological strain which imposes demand for adjustment upon the individual(1). It is one of the common features in all our lives. Academic Stress in today’s highly competitive world among nursing students including Ruli Higher Institute of Health among   others.

Nursing profession is a disciplined profession involved in the delivery of health to the society also it is helping profession, service oriented to maintain health and well- being of people, an art and science(2). Mental health-related conditions are becoming increasingly prevalent among healthcare professionals worldwide(3). But the nursing profession comes with stress both mentally and physically because of its fast- paced and emotional nature(4),(5),(6). Nursing colleges and schools  are now recognized as a stressful environment that often exerts a positive effect on the academic performances and psychological well-being of students and vise-versa (7). Published literature has reported that a significant percentage of nursing students leave school before program completion(8)  as a consequence of stress(9).

The current research    have identified  academic source of stress include (10) examination, long hours of study assignments, grade, lack of free time, lack of timely feed -back after their performance, special elements of the academic program like arrangement and conduction of workshop(11).

Dr. NYIRAHABIMANA Christine, Principal Investigator while explaining the content of Questionnaire among respondents.

Clinical sources of stress(12) are like taking care of ill patients, inter personals conflicts with peer group, insecurity about personal clinical competence fear to complete clinical requirement, dealing with uncooperative patients, work load, prolonged standing learning psycho motor skills e.g.-bed making, bed bath and vital signs monitoring have also being associated with high level of stress(13). The reaction of parents and friends to the results weigh upon the student to create exam stress, lack of interest to study and inability to follow the professor cause disinterest in attending classes.

The American College Health Association National Health Assessment (2009, 2010) data revealed over one third of all post-secondary education student ranked stress as their highest health impediment followed with sleep issue(14), depression and anxiety(15). Additionally, published studies report that emotional and behavioral problems, among high stress exposure groups, such as in nursing students may affect their lifetime risk of mental health disorders(16),(17).

Understanding stressors that affect nursing students during their training and what coping strategies are utilized by them to address the various stressors is critical. This will enable nursing schools and educators to evaluate and utilize evidence-based interventions and support programs aimed at minimizing attrition in nursing training programs which in turn can help address the shortage of nurses in the region(18).

Furthermore, several studies (7),(19),(20)  and systematic reviews (21) have assessed stress levels, stressors, and coping strategies among medical students; however, there is a paucity of research and reviews on the subject for nursing students in the region.

Therefore, the current  researcher want to know the students perception of academic stress and how they cope with it on daily basis, as they are struggling to reduce the negative effects on their health, and their academic performance. It is very important for nursing students to learn how to manage academic stress, if it cannot be eliminated.

Stress reduction programs have been identified to be one of the most effective interventions to decrease attrition in nursing programs (15). Stress coping strategies are also important determinants that influence overall mental health and well-being (22).

RHIH Nursing students in responding the questionnaire on stress management in University

This paper summarized the explored areas during data collection and interview done among 27 Nursing Students. Apart that every participant got a chance to know his/her stress level; the researcher agreed to come back for seminar of findings for all students within RHIH and he will submit a copy of Book in RHIH Library.

The Principal Investigator appreciated the warm welcome given and pre-preparation of the activities by RHIH authorities who put in place all facilitation. She continued by thanking the representative of RHIH during the week end day for his flexibility and organizational skills. She extends her expression to the President of RHIH students union, Class representative and respondents in generally for their team working spirit for completing in short time the exercise. Students expressed their new skills gained during the data collection process and it is helping them to do their daily academic activities in research.

Author of this paper is encouraging all researchers to come in RHIH environment and conduct the research for proving their hypothesis have in academic environment.

Reference List

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