‘Define the Term “Stress”. Explain the Positive Coping Strategies That Could Be Developed by the Student Nurse to Cope with Stress’

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Stress is a reaction given off by the body when any demand/pressure is placed upon it, involving change which requires a physical, mental or emotional adjustment or response (HSE. 2009). Student nurses identified two types of stress that they experienced; Distress; perceived as a negative stress related to the issue and eustress; perceived as a positive stress sending messages to the brain prompting it to apply coping strategies to manage the stress (Rumyantseva, G et al. 2008.) Stress allows a student nurse to identify positive and negative factors within their experience. Research confirms that stress can stimulate an individual to greater achievement. Some student nurses may relate to this and others may relate to the fact that stress overwhelms them causing incapacity and impair their cognitive and mental function (Youngman, A. 2000). A student nurse is particularly vulnerable to the effects of stress to an extent that has been proven to place them at greater risk for developing mental health symptoms than the rest of the general population (Kudielka, BM. 2000). Student nurses experience academic overload creating a great deal of stress along with engaging with a designated mentor on a one-to-one basis for long shifts. This is considered as one of the most demanding circumstances that can exist in the workplace setting (Yonge et al. 2002). Kyriacos, U et al. 2005 states, within the Journal of Advanced Nursing, that the more nurses know about biological sciences, the more they can apply to practice overall, creating an improved result to patients they care for. This could cause the student nurse stress if they lack in knowledge of such science, leading them to asking themselves the question of ‘how successful have I been, or otherwise?’ The biological sciences a student nurse must undertake are physiology, anatomy, pharmacology and microbiology

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