• LAISHANGBAM BIJAYALAKSHMI DEVI

Abstract: Introduction: The COVID 19 epidemic has caused significant disruption in the world at various levels. Nurses, as COVID warriors, have played important roles at various levels in restoring normalcy around the world. According to the WHO 2022 research, health professionals such as nurses are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues such as anxiety. Similarly, nursing students experienced mental health issues such as worry and anxiety, as well as physical health issues, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Objective of the study: 1) to assess the level of anxiety among nursing students during COVID 19 pandemic. 2) To assess the post pandemic lived experiences among selected nursing students on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on their anxiety and its implication on their profession. 3) To find the correlation between level of anxiety with selected demographic variables. Method: The study used a mixed methodology, with an explanatory sequential method design with two time points. Phase 1 of the study used simple random sampling to perform a quantitative cross-sectional survey among 330 participants in nursing programmes. Additionally, utilising a purposive sample technique, a qualitative study involving 15 nursing students was done during the second phase of the study. Result: The majority of participants are between the ages of 18 and 20, and most come from low-income families and nuclear families. The first phase's cross-sectional survey results indicate that nursing students have a modest level of anxiousness. In response to the first research question, 52.1% of nursing students reported having a mile anxiety level, 33% reported having a moderate level of anxiety, 6.4% reported having severe anxiety, and 0.9% reported having very severe anxiety. Overall 92.4% of participants have some level of anxiety ranging from mild to very severe anxiety level. There is also notable negative correlation between program course of participants and their level of anxiety with p value=0.002. Result of qualitative analysis of selected 15 participants from within survey participants through in-depth interviews reveals main 8 themes i.e. anxiety related to online academic learning; anxiety about safety and their future; change in behavioral and psychological responses; anxious about clinical posting; social support and self-care to manage anxiety; personal growth and resilience of nursing student; change in professional attributes and future preparedness as professional. The qualitative analysis highlighted the psychological and behavioral impact among nursing students participants as a result of COVID 19 pandemic. The themes analysis shows the uses of support system and personal coping strategies employ by them to manage their anxiety. Conclusion: Nursing student have experience significant level of anxiety, and tried their own strategies to cope with it. Support system and individual coping system play a major role to manage anxiety.

Anxiety, nursing student, COVID 19 impact, mixed method

"A mixed longitudinal study to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on level of anxiety among nursing students, their post pandemic subjective lived experiences on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and its implication on their profession", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 1, page no.e601-e610, January-2024, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2401473.pdf

"A mixed longitudinal study to assess the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on level of anxiety among nursing students, their post pandemic subjective lived experiences on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and its implication on their profession", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.11, Issue 1, page no. ppe601-e610, January-2024, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2401473.pdf