Prevalence of stress and associated factors among nursing students in Limpopo province, South Africa

Background: Mental health is a fundamental component of overall well-being and a critical determinant of academic success and professional functioning. However, stress is an often-overlooked burden for nursing students, adversely impacting their learning, clinical performance and overall quality of life. Objectives: To determine the levels of stress among nursing students and to examine the associations among demographic characteristics. The study was conducted at a selected Nursing Education Institution in Limpopo province, South Africa. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional quantitative design was employed to determine stress levels among 262 nursing students. Data were collected through an anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire using the Student Stress Inventory, which demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.910). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version 30. Results: Respondents had a mean age of 20.20 years (s.d. = 1.48) and reported moderate stress levels. Female nursing students were significantly more likely to report higher stress than males (p 0.001). Stress levels also differed significantly across study levels (p = 0.005), with second-year students reporting the highest stress. Conclusion: Nursing students face significant stress, which may impact their learning and professional development. This highlights the importance of implementing supportive strategies to foster resilience and coping skills. Contribution: The study provides evidence to guide targeted interventions promoting students’ mental well-being and academic success.