Reducing perceived stress through an orientation program for nursing students entering their first nursing course

Abstract

Background: The faculty of an introductory nursing course noted that students expressed, over several years, apprehension regarding expectations such as studying for exams and how to better organize their time. Nursing students are known to experience a greater amount of anxiety than non-nursing students. This anxiety interferes with their ability to be successful in their selected major.

Purpose and methods: The purpose of this study was to determine if an orientation program would reduce the perceived anxiety of students who have been admitted to their first nursing course, and of their families and significant others. Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Questionnaire was administered to measure changes in stress levels before and after exposure to an orientation program designed for incoming nursing students and their significant others.

Results and conclusions: The results indicated that the anxiety levels of the participants were significantly reduced after the orientation program. The results are important as a decrease in the anxiety levels of nursing students could be directly correlated to their success.