Examining Perceived Stress and Individualized Care Practices by Senior Nursing Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: This research was conducted to analyze the perceptions of senior nursing students regarding stress and individualized care during the Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Method: The research was conducted between May and June 2021 with 194 senior nursing students. Data collection was conducted using a structured information form, perceived stress scale (PSS), and the individualized care scale-A-nurse version (ICS-A-nurse). Results: It was found that the stress experiences of the students were moderate. Their perception of individualized care was at a good level. A highly significant statistically negative correlation existed between the PSS mean scores and the ICS-A-nurse total mean scores in addition to the mean scores in all sub-dimensions (p<0.001). Conclusion: It was determined that the higher the level of stress students perceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, the more negative their perceptions of individualized care became. Adequate personal protective equipment should be available in clinics during clinical applications and clinical practice training should be planned for intern nursing students during possible pandemic processes. It is also suggested that nursing students should use methods of coping with stress in pandemic situations and develop skills and behaviors to protect themselves, their families, and society from infectious diseases.