Nursing interns' perceptions of stress factors at the end of their undergraduate studies

Abstract

Stress is one of the great challenges of modern life, often associated with physical and psychological symptoms generated by daily pressures. This study analysed stress factors in the university environment and their repercussions on the lives of final year nursing students. This is a descriptive exploratory study with a mixed-methods approach that used the LIPP Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults (ISSL) through a form applied via Google Forms. The participants were students from the ninth and tenth terms of the Nursing course at UNIG, in Nova Iguaçu, Rio de Janeiro. A total of 47 interviews were collected, with 72.3 per cent women (34) and 27.7 per cent men (13). More than 90 per cent of the students reported some level of stress. Among the most commonly cited factors were academic demands, such as the Final Course Work (TCC) and the challenges of the internship, as well as the personal demands of reconciling work, studies and family responsibilities. These factors contribute to a decline in students' physical and mental health, manifested in tiredness, insomnia and irritability. The results highlight the need for institutional and individual strategies to mitigate the impacts of stress. Welcoming academic environments, psychological support and actions that address both structural and subjective aspects are fundamental. Finally, this study expands knowledge about stressors, offering support for educational policies that favour the health, resilience and academic success of future health professionals.

Keywords: Nursing; Emotional Stress; Higher Education.