The effects of using procedural model for stress management on sense of coherence and work adaptation of nurse students

Abstract

Transitioning from a nurse student to a newly graduate nurse is complex, leading new nurses to be stressful. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a procedural model for stress management on sense of coherence and work adaptation among nurse students. One group pretest-posttest design was utilized. Participants were 17 senior nurse students recruited by a self- selection method. Research instruments were a procedural model of stress management, and questionnaires assessing sense of coherence and work adaptation. Quantitative data analysis involved in descriptive statistic and Wilcoxon matched pair signed-rank test, comparison; meanwhile, qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis.

The results showed that before attending a procedural model for stress management, nurse students reported a high level of sense of coherence and work adaptation (= 3.79, SD = .38 and  =3.65 , SD = 0.38, respectively). After experiment, the students reported a higher level of both (= 4.34, SD = .30 and  = 4.26 , SD = .22, respectively). By comparison, sense of coherence and work adaptation after experiment was higher than before at a significant level of .01.  According to qualitative data analysis, nurse students considered stress management as an essential element for work life. Participating in a procedural model for stress management helped students to adapt themselves onto work life. Also, maintaining positive attitudes energized them to have work endurance.

Conclusively, the procedural model for stress management is an effective intervention enhancing new graduate nurses’ sense of coherence and work adaptation. Therefore, it should be provided for senior nurse students in other institutes so that they can transit their roles onto graduated nurses.