The effects of stress levels on nursing students compared to pre-nursing students

Author

Olivia J. Walls, University of Tennessee at ChattanoogaFollow

Project Director

Owsley, Natalie

Department Examiner

Turner, Anna

Department

Dept. of Nursing

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

This study explores pre-nursing and nursing students' stress levels and attitudes at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Many studies have evaluated the stress of nursing students, but few have examined the stress levels of pre-nursing students. The research suggests that students experiencing unmanaged stress in nursing school can have negative implications as they move into new graduate nursing. Using a quantitative approach, researchers at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga analyzed factors that increase stress, coping mechanisms, and support from faculty and staff. More research is needed to provide succinct information on pre-nursing stress, and students need additional mental health resources to best accommodate stressful periods of time.

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who contributed to this project. First, I would like to thank my thesis advisor, Dr. Natalie Owsley, for her guidance and encouragement as we navigated this process. I would like to thank my thesis committee member, Professor Anna Turner, for her valuable feedback. Next, I am grateful for all participants in my survey in the School of Nursing and pre-nursing students. Lastly, I would like to thank my parents, Jay and Jennifer, for supporting me in this endeavor and reminding me to give all of the glory to God.

IRB Number

#24-150

Degree

B. S. N.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Date

5-2025

Subject

College students--Psychology; Nursing students--Mental health--Tennessee--Chattanooga; Stress (Psychology)

Keyword

nursing student, pre-nursing, stress, mental health, coping

Discipline

Nursing

Document Type

Theses

Extent

i, 27 leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Date Available

9-30-2026

Recommended Citation

Walls, Olivia J., "The effects of stress levels on nursing students compared to pre-nursing students" (2025). Honors Theses.
https://scholar.utc.edu/honors-theses/599