Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced universities all over the world to transition to distance learning. The aim of this study was to examine the stress levels, stressors, and associated sociodemographic variables among undergraduate nursing students as a result of the transition to distance learning amid COVID-19. Method: This study used a mixed-methods embedded design. A total of 355 nursing students were recruited. The Higher Education Stress Inventory was used to assess stress levels, and an open-ended question was used to examine the sources of stress. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA tests were used for data analysis. Results: Statistically significant differences in stress levels were found based on some of the sociodemographic characteristics of the students. Four themes representing the stressors related to distance learning emerged from the qualitative data. Conclusion: Distance learning-related stress and stressors among nursing students were found to vary based on students' sociodemographic characteristics. [ J Nurs Educ . 2020;59(12):666–674.]

Background Despite the continued expand of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, nursing students are returning to on-campus learning and training in clinical settings. The COVID-19 pandemic might constitute a new source of anxiety that increases the already high anxiety levels of nursing students. This study aimed to assess the COVID-19 infection-related anxiety and coping strategies among nursing students returning to university campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic in Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 282 nursing students who returned to campus during the summer semester of the academic year 2019/2020. The returning students were invited to complete an online questionnaire consisting of three parts: 1) sociodemographic variables and infection-related information, 2) the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) Scale, and 3) the Brief-Coping Behavior Questionnaire (Brief-COPE). Results Of the participating students, 70.6% reported mild to severe anxiety levels. Female students and students who had fears of becoming infected with COVID-19 were found to be at higher risk of anxiety than were other students. A positive correlation was found between students’ anxiety levels and their dysfunctional coping strategies, which included denial, behavioral disengagement, venting, and self-blame. Students who had chosen to study nursing willingly used coping planning. Further, other sociodemographic variables and infection-related information were associated with dysfunctional and emotion-focused coping strategies. Conclusions The participating nursing students showed significant COVID-19-related anxiety upon returning to on-campus learning. Unfortunately, the students were found to use some dysfunctional coping strategies which were associated with increased levels of anxiety. The results highlight the important role of universities and nursing faculty members in supporting students emotionally and ensuring their personal safety inside the classroom and in clinical settings.

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Background: Difficulty sleeping is a common symptom for patients living with cancer that significantly affects their lives. However, although sleep disorders are common, it is an overlooked problem in cancer care. Purpose: This study assessed the prevalence of sleep disturbances among patients living with cancer, and assessed the adequacy of sleep assessment and intervention for patients from both nurses' and patients' perspectives. Method: Descriptive, cross-sectional and correlational design was used in this study. A convenience sample of 129 patients with cancer and 113 registered nurses working with cancer patients was recruited. A structured face-to-face interview was used to complete the patients' questionnaires and a self-administered questionnaire was given to nurses. Findings: The majority of patients with cancer reported having poor sleep quality (69.8%). About 86.7% (n=98) of nurses reported that they have never screened patients with cancer for any sleep problems, and 76.7% (n=99) of the patients reported that they have never been assessed for sleep problems by the nursing staff during hospitalisation. Only 8% of patients with cancer who reported having problems sleeping to a nurse received interventions to promote better sleep. Conclusion: Assessment of sleep disturbances in patients with cancer should be unified using a comprehensive reliable valid instrument, as well as providing evidence-based interventions according to patient's need. A written policy should be introduced to encourage sleep documentation and to make sleep care for patients part of routine nursing care.

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