Affiliation:
1. PhD Scholar, Department of Obstetrical and Gynaecological Nursing, Masood College of Nursing, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Abstract
Abstract
Background:
The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has cast a long shadow globally and has brought a wide variety of changes to nursing education all of a sudden which has created a lot of tension and concerns amongst nursing students. In this study, undergraduate nursing students were surveyed during the lockdown (2020) as to how the pandemic has affected their academic life and mental well-being.
Objective:
This article aims to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and mental well-being of nursing students.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study with survey approach was conducted amongst 1114 undergraduate nursing students (baccalaureate in nursing) from randomly selected 11 nursing colleges in Mangalore, South India. The study used an investigator-developed scale on academic life during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Short Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale for data collection.
Results:
Of the 1114 students, 75% were worried about financial security and 82.4% were concerned about academic completion, the gap in their clinical experience and the commission of university examinations. Results indicated that 13.3%, 62.3% and 24.4% had low, moderate and severe levels of mental well-being, respectively. However, there was a negative correlation between impact on academic life and mental well-being, which implies as students worry more about their academic life its directly affecting their mental well-being.
Conclusion:
The quality of nursing education provided and received by the current nursing graduates will be reflected in the outcomes of health globally. Measures must be undertaken to plan a structured curriculum adaptable in providing continuity to teaching–learning experience in anticipation of any major crisis that can disrupt the system.