Exploring Self-Perceptions of Anxiety among Nursing Students in the Clinical Setting and Select Demographics

Clinical learning experiences are essential in nursing education but they are often anxiety provoking for learners. Understanding the factors associated with the anxiety levels of nursing students in clinical placements has become more complex over the years with increasing heterogeneity within the nursing population. A correlational study was conducted to examine the relationships between nursing students' self-perceived anxiety levels, as measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the students' age, gender, previous employment, and previous education. The findings revealed that nursing students have a higher than average level of anxiety and that male nursing students reported higher levels of anxiety compared to female nursing students. No significant correlations were found between age, previous education, previous employment, and self-perceived anxiety levels. Findings from this study provide an opportunity for discussion by nursing educators and identify a need for future research and practice.