Biosocial-academic profile and stress in first- and fourth-year nursing students.

Objectives: To compare the biosocial and academic profile and stress levels between first- and last-year nursing students from a public university in Sao Paulo.
Methods: This is an analytic and quantitative study. A biosocial and academic form and the instrument for Assessment of Stress in Nursing Students by Costa and Polak were applied to 83 students between February and March 2016.
Results: Insufficient income and extracurricular activities contribute to higher levels of stress in both groups of students assessed. Fourth-year students showed higher levels of general stress, particularly generated by the factors: performance of practical activities, professional communication, environment and professional training. Time management produces higher stress in first-year students.
Conclusions: Fewbiosocial and academic features equally contribute for the stress levels in first- and last-year nursing students, but those in last-year present higher stress than students who are starting the course.
Competing Interests: The authors of this article and the planning committee members and staff have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.
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