The effect of lifelong learning trends on stress coping behaviors and professional competencies of nursing students

Objective: The aim of this cross-sectional and descriptive study is to examine the effects of the nursing students' lifelong learning trends on their stress coping behaviors and professional competencies. Material and Method: The study was conducted with 496 students enrolled in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years in Manisa Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing between February and March 2022. The data of the study were carried out using the "Student Introduction Form", "Lifelong Learning Trends Scale", "Nursing Students' Competence Scale" and "Stress Coping Behaviors Scale for Nursing Students". In the analysis of the data, the number, percentage distribution and descriptive statistics were used to define the socio-demographic characteristics. Since the data did not show normal distribution as a result of Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality test, Mann Whitney U, Kruskal Wallis test and Spearman correlation analysis were used. Results: It was found that the mean score of the "Lifelong Learning Trends Scale" of the students is 66,67±10,64, the mean score of the "Nursing Students' Competency Scale" is 243,56±41,94 and the mean score of the "Stress Coping Behaviors Scale for Nursing Students" is 41,01±14,33. A weak, positive and statistically significant relationship was found between the "Lifelong Learning Trends Scale" of the nursing students and the "Nursing Students' Competency Scale" (p<0.05). It was discovered that a weak and statistically significant relationship was found between the "Lifelong Learning Trends Scale" and the sub-dimensions of the "Stress Coping Behaviors Scale for Nursing Students" (p<0,05). Conclusion: The results of the study have shown that the relationship between the nursing students' lifelong learning trends and their professional competencies and stress coping behaviors was positive.