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Coping with Stress

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DISCUSS THE POSITIVE COPING STRATEGIES THAT COULD BE USED BY THE STUDENT NURSE TO COPE WITH STRESS.

The following assignment will utilise academic literature to highlight positive coping mechanisms related to stress. The author will then reflect on personal coping strategies.
The Health and Safety Executive (2007) defines stress as the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures or other demands required of them. The Royal College of Nursing (2007) describes stress as any factor that threatens physical health or causes the human body to function adversely. To explain further constant stress will affect the bodies’ balance of hormones.
The term ‘work related stress’ can be defined as a result of work demands exceeding the person’s capacity and capability to cope. Health and Safety Executive (2011). Stress in the workplace could be a result of many factors, time management and poor organisational skills can contribute. Demands of work could also lead to a lack of family time and time for recreation and the refusal of additional work and a lack of assertiveness may also have an impact.
According to the Royal College of Nursing (2011) nursing is one of the professions that is affected by stress. An explanation for this statement could be the long hours associated with the profession, staff shortages and the insecurity of the job. A student nurse has the added pressure of being accepted as part of the team and ‘fitting’ in.
Vulnerable groups for instance children, the elderly and the sick, or individuals who are socially disadvantaged are according to the Royal College of Nursing (2011) at more risk of developing and suffering stress in some form.
Stress at home could be caused by an inability to prioritise, inefficient problem solving abilities or maybe as a result of poor parenting skills and lack of family support. A low self esteem may also

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