Stress, Emotional Well-being, and Coping Strategies Among Nursing Students: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Introduction: Because stress affects emotional health, academic achievement, and future professional competence, it is a serious problem for nursing students. Nursing students are susceptible to psychological strain due to growing academic and clinical responsibilities.
Methodology: PRISMA standards were followed in conducting a systematic review. We retrieved pertinent studies from PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar that were published between 2018 and 2025. Included were studies on nursing students’ coping mechanisms, stress, and mental health. Narrative synthesis and data extraction were done.
Results: About 45 studies in all satisfied the inclusion requirements. The results showed that academic overload, clinical exposure, and interpersonal difficulties are the main causes of the moderate to high levels of stress experienced by nursing students. High stress levels were associated with poor emotional outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. While maladaptive coping mechanisms like avoidance and excessive use of digital media were associated with poor mental health outcomes, adaptive coping mechanisms like social support, mindfulness, and time management were found to enhance emotional well-being.
Conclusion: Stress and impaired emotional health are major risks for nursing students. In order to lessen these consequences, effective coping mechanisms are essential. In order to foster resilience and enhance student well-being, nursing education needs systematic interventions and mental health support services.