Purpose The aim of the current study was to determine how emotional intelligence and self‐leadership levels could be related to perceived stress. Design and Methods A total of 341 nursing students were enrolled in this descriptive correlational study. Study measures included a sociodemographic form, Emotional Intelligence Evaluation Scale, Revised Self‐Leadership Questionnaire, and Perceived Stress Scale for Nursing Students. Findings Results showed that ‘‘assignments and workload’’ as well as “taking care of patients” were the highest sources of stress in clinical training. The emotional intelligence and self‐leadership levels had a significant negative correlation with the perceived stress. Practice Implications Perceived stress affects students' academic and social success negatively. Therefore, it is important to develop students' emotional intelligence levels, self‐leadership perceptions.