Impact of anxiety-related conditions on nursing students’ academic excellence

• Published in: Curationis (Pretoria) Vol. 47; no. 1; pp. e1 - e10
• Main Authors: Seshabela, Hlengiwe D, Shakwane, Simangele
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pretoria African Online Scientific Information Systems (Pty) Ltd t/a AOSIS 04-10-2024; AOSIS (Pty) Ltd; AOSIS
• Subjects: Academic achievement; academic excellence; Anxiety; anxiety-related conditions; Clinical medicine; Coronaviruses; counsellors; COVID-19; Data analysis; Data collection; Education parks; Health aspects; impact; Information management; Knowledge; Learning; Mental depression; Mental disorders; Mental health; Nursing; Nursing education; nursing education institution nurses; Nursing students; Original Research; Patients; Phenomenology; Qualitative research; School facilities; Students; Success; Teachers; Teaching; South Africa
• ISSN: 0379-8577; 2223-6279; 2223-6279
• DOI: 10.4102/curationis.v47i1.2571

Background: Nursing students often experience high anxiety and depression because of the demanding nursing curriculum. This mental strain can harm their academic performance. As a result, nurse educators need to assess how anxiety impacts nursing students’ academic achievements.Objectives: To evaluate and describe the knowledge of counsellors and nurse educators regarding the impact of anxiety-related conditions on nursing students’ academic excellence in selected nursing education institutions.Method: A qualitative descriptive phenomenological design was used to evaluate and describe the perceptions of counsellors and nurse educators about anxiety-related conditions on nursing students’ academic excellence. Participants were purposively selected, and semi-structured interviews were utilised to collect data. Four counsellors involved in psychosocial support of nursing students who participated in individual semi-structured interviews, and 20 nurse educators participated in focus group interviews, with 5 participants per group. Data were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were analysed using Giorgi’s (2009) four data analysis steps.Results: Four themes emerged from data analysis: understanding of anxiety-related conditions, responses to anxiety-related conditions, influences of anxiety-related conditions and support of nursing students with anxiety-related conditions. The findings highlighted the significance of recognising the effects of mental health issues on nursing students.Conclusion: The study revealed the factors influencing nursing students’ responses to and the support provided for anxiety-related conditions affecting their academic performance.Contribution: The importance of prioritising mental health support for nursing students is to ensure they complete their qualifications on time.