Female gender and low physical activity are risk factors for academic stress in incoming nursing students

PURPOSE Nursing students suffer from stress more frequently than other students. The objective was to analyze the academic stressors that most affect new nursing students. DESIGN AND METHODS A cross-sectional study on new nursing students. FINDINGS Two hundred and eighty-two students, 78% women, mean age of 21.46 (6.1) years. Giving presentations in class and lack of time for homework are the items that cause the greatest academic stress. Women had higher levels of academic stress, and higher levels of physical activity are related to lower academic stress. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Women have a higher level of academic stress. Doing sport is a protective factor that diminishes academic stress the more it is practiced. Encouraging nursing students to play sports could be beneficial in reducing their academic stress, with women benefiting the most.