Caring behaviours and stress perception among student nurses in different nursing programmes: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Psychology
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• High-quality nursing care is fundamentally linked to caring behaviors.
• Limited research explores the connection between caring behaviors and stress perception in student nurses.
• Understanding this relationship is crucial for effective nursing education and practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between caring behaviors and stress perception among student nurses.
• To identify specific caring behaviors and sources of stress in different nursing programs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 792 student nurses from three nursing programs.
• Utilized Chinese versions of the Caring Behaviors Scale and the Nurse Stress Checklist.
• Assessed caring behaviors and psychosocial responses to work-related stress.

Main Results:

• A significant negative correlation was found between caring behaviors and stress perception.
• Top caring behaviors included recognizing patient uniqueness, taking complaints seriously, and respecting family interests.
• Common stressors included workload, time constraints, and lack of personal interaction.

Conclusions:

• Caring behaviors are inversely related to stress perception in student nurses.
• Nursing education should integrate stress management training to promote caring.
• Fostering caring behaviors is essential for developing competent and resilient nursing professionals.