STRESS AND FEAR RESOURCES OF NURSING STUDENTS IN CLINICAL SETTINGS: A REVIEW STUDY

The high level of stress experienced by nursing students in clinical settings is
major obstacle in students learning and their professionalizing. To solve such a problem, is necessary to
identify and categorize the fear and stress resources of students in clinical settings in Iran, which the
purpose of this study was to review and summarize the sources of stress and fear in nursing students in
clinical settings.
Materials & Methods: In the review of literature in the Irandoc, Iranmedex, Magiran, SID, Google
scholar, Elsevier, ProQuest, and Scopus databases, during the period 2000-2017, 28 articles obtained
inclusion criteria that are conducted to the sources of fear and stress of nursing students at the clinical
settings.
Results:Most of the studies arrival to clinical settings were mentioned as one of the sources of students
'fear and stress during their education. Fear of error was one of the major sources of students' fear and
stress when attending the clinical setting. However, the lack of familiarity with the department or
equipment, and even communication with the patients, nurses and other medical staff, was also
identified as a major source of students' fear and stress.
Discussion and Conclusion: The feeling that the student does not have a suitable supporter at the
clinical setting and losing of confidence to theoretical and practical competency in students for caring
in the clinical setting can be the causes of most of the fears and stresses that students face with them. It
can be helpful in improving the student's positive clinical experience by familiarizing them well before
the arrival to clinical setting, using compassionate and experienced educators, and training how to deal
with stress