Comparison of Stress Levels Arising in Clinical Settings, Stress Coping Mechanisms and Clinical Competency between Male and Female Nursing Students / 한국간호교육학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study compares differences between male and female nursing students in terms of the level of stress experienced during clinical practice settings, stress coping mechanisms and clinical competency. METHOD: The study population was nursing students who had taken a clinical practice course at one of five general hospitals in city D. Data were collected from September 15 to October 15, 2013 through a structured self-administered questionnaire survey given to 319 subjects (156 male students, 163 female students) enrolled in a statistical analysis course. RESULTS: Male nursing students experienced lower stress levels during clinical practice and higher clinical competency than female students. In terms of stress coping mechanisms, male students were significantly more active than female students in deploying coping strategies. Among all students, students with higher clinical practice stress and concomitant stress coping scores exhibited higher clinical competency. CONCLUSION: Noticeable differences between male and female nursing students in terms of stress levels arising in the course of clinical practice, stress coping strategies, and clinical competency were revealed. However, further identification of specific stressful situations for male and female nursing students and subsequent management of clinical training circumstances are required.