Exploring the challenges and needs of nursing students in relation to OSCE exam stress: A qualitative study.

<h4>Background</h4>The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a critical assessment method in nursing education but is often associated with significant stress, negatively impacting students' psychological well-being and academic performance. Understanding the sources o...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Fahimeh Alsadat Hosseini, Mehrvash Hemati, Maryam Shaygan, Somayeh Gheysari, Azita Jaberi, Mojtaba Ghobadi, Shoeleh Rahimi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0327898
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Summary:<h4>Background</h4>The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a critical assessment method in nursing education but is often associated with significant stress, negatively impacting students' psychological well-being and academic performance. Understanding the sources of OSCE-related stress and effective coping strategies is crucial for improving nursing education. The aim of this study is to explore the challenges and needs of nursing students regarding OSCE stress.<h4>Methods</h4>Using content analysis, 18 participants (12 nursing students and 6 faculty members) from a nursing school in Shiraz, Iran, were interviewed through in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's content analysis approach, ensuring rigor through Guba and Lincoln's trustworthiness criteria.<h4>Results</h4>The analysis identified three main themes: 'implementing OSCE stress management strategies,' 'enhancing OSCE education and assessment processes,' and 'preparing students for OSCE.' These themes reflect the key challenges and effective factors influencing OSCE-related stress among nursing students.<h4>Conclusion</h4>There is a need for comprehensive interventions, including effective stress management strategies, improvements in OSCE training and evaluation methods, and structured preparation programs. Addressing these factors can alleviate OSCE-related stress and enhance student performance. Nursing educators and policymakers should integrate these insights to optimize OSCE implementation, ultimately fostering better psychological resilience and academic success among nursing students.
ISSN:1932-6203