Mental Health Characteristics of Traditional and Accelerated Baccalaureate Prelicensure Nursing Students

Abstract

Background: Mental health issues in college students are increasing, and nursing students may experience higher stress and anxiety levels than other college students. Limited data differentiate mental health characteristics of traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) students. Method: This descriptive mixed-methods study compared mental health characteristics between BSN ( n = 21) and ABSN ( n = 51) students. Results: Mild to moderate distress was identified with the Psychological Distress Profile, and moderate levels of stress were identified on the Perceived Stress Scale. No significant differences in scores were found between groups. More ABSN students reported mental health diagnoses than BSN students. Common reasons for stress included academic obligations, relationship challenges, and financial concerns. Conclusion: Nursing students report experiencing psychological stress, although reasons may vary by cohorts. Further investigation and development of support programs for student mental health is warranted. [ J Nurs Educ . 2023;62(2):105–108.]