INTRODUCTION

Stress is part of modern life. Various events in life cause stress, starting with the birth of a child and enduring with the death of a dear one. Urbanization, industrialization and the increase scale of operations in society are some of the reasons for rising stress. It is an inevitable consequence of socioeconomic complexity and to some extent, its stimulant as well. People experience stress as they can no longer have complete control over what happen in their lives. The telephone goes out of order, power is shut down, water supply is disrupted, children perform poorly at school etc, we feel frustrated and then stressed. The word stress is derived from a Latin word stringere, meaning to draw tight. From the view point of physical sciences, the phenomena of stress are evident in all materials when they are subjected to force, pressure, strain or strong-front. Every material steel, rock or wood has its own limit up to which it can withstand stress without being damaged. Similarly human beings can tolerate certain level of stress. Stress is highly individualistic in nature. Some people have high levels of stress tolerance for stress and thrive very well in the face of several stressors in the environment. In fact, some individuals will not perform well unless they experience a level of stress which activates and energizes them to put forth their best results. For every individual there is an optimum level of stress under which he or she will perform to full capacity. The complexity of human activities causes a lot of effects to the lives of every individual. Whatever the effect of these activities, favorable or not, man is affected particularly in the aspect on how every activity is to be carried out using his physical strength thus making him stressed eventually. It is normal for people to experience stress but when it comes, every person should be ready to handle it in order for its effect to become favorable on his part. Though generally, its effects are negative. In the view of many people, on the other hand, it can benefit others in some ways. No one can live without experiencing some degree of stress at all times (Selye1987). Stress nowadays plays a great part not only on students but also in each persons daily living, it occurs when there is an imbalance between the demands of life and our ability to cope with them. Most people know something about stress. One may think that only serious disease or intensive physical or mental injury can cause stress, this is false (Selye1978). Job pressures, school works, family arguments, financial pressures and not having enough time are

just few of the stressors that people at the present day society faces daily. In fact, it has been accepted in the society that everyday stress is part of modern living (Murray and Pizzorno, 1998). The issue on how people respond on stress should be given much importance to eliminate the detrimental effects of it; one is the possible disease that a human body can have. The human response to stressful events is an ancient one, dating back to a time when life is a constant struggle for survival. Unfortunately, people are not sensitive enough to recognize what is causing them to feel stressed. What these people may notice are the physical sign of stress, such as insomnia, depression, fatigue, headache, upset stomach, digestive disturbances, and irritability living (Murray and Pizzorno). Indeed, the concern about the proper stress management is very important for it will give an assurance of competency for every individual. Knowing what should be done whenever it occurs for us to have alternatives in facing whatever result it can give. Upon dealing stress properly, then we are confident and assured that everything will have a good result that favors every effort that we have done in carrying out routine activities of human lives, making effective and efficient handlers of whatever scenario relative to our lives. This study will help the student nurses to manage their stress and be competent in different clinical areas.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study was conducted to analyze the Stress management of the level 4 nursing students of Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Catarman, Northern Samar. Specifically, questions: this study aims to answer the following

1. What are the different methods in coping or dealing with the stressors in terms of: a. Culture b. Religion c. Individual belief systems d. Experience e. Personal choice 2. What are the ways in which maladaptive responses to stress can increase the risk of illness and cause disease?

3. What are the individual and group measures that are useful in reducing stress? 4. What are the effects of stress in level 4 nursing students of Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Catarman, Northern Samar in terms of their academic and clinical performances.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

1. Identify the different methods in coping or dealing with the stressors in terms of: a. Culture b. Religion c. Individual belief systems d. Experience e. Personal choice 2. Identify ways in which maladaptive responses to stress can increase the risk of illness and cause disease. 3. Identify individual and group measures that are useful in reducing stress. 4. Identify the effects of stress in level 4 nursing students of Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Catarman, Northern Samar in terms of their academic and clinical performances.

SCOPE AND LIMITATION

The emphasis of this study was placed on the Stress management of the level 4 nursing students of Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Catarman, Northern Samar. This study aims to identify the stress the level 4 nursing students face in school and how it affects their academic performance. To learn the ways the students deal in handling the kind of stress they face. To know how the school and their environment in general gets affected due to the stress faced by the students. The study also gives emphasis on the possible illnesses and diseases that can be acquired through stress. All level 4 nursing students of Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Catarman, Northern Samar are choosen as the respondents of this study. One of the perceived limitation which affects in conducting this study, was the availability of the level 4 nursing students

being the respondents in this study. Another limitation was the time period. The time period was not sufficient.

JUSTIFICATION Today in this recession period graduating nursing students are not mentally prepared for the pressure in the school. So they stress themselves too much and suffer in the class. Through our thesis, we are going to find out the causes of stress the nursing students face and how far they are mentally fit to face these stresses which would enrich our knowledge and help us in our career.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is very important in people in all walks of life especially among students particularly in fourth year nursing students because we all know that students have so many paper works to do or to accomplish. Stress is very common nowadays due to different stressors that contribute to it. Like emotional problem, educational problem, and financial problem. Stress can affect our daily activities especially to the nursing students. Some cannot perform well in their academics and in their clinical duties which can affect their grades and most importantly the relationship of the student nurse to the patient. The researchers believe in the merits of the study especially to the following: The researchers, conducting this kind of study brought a learning experience for them. It handed them the pulse of the level 4 nursing students when it comes to stress management they performed with regards to their clinical duties, which was hardly known without survey. The nursing students, who may acquire greater insights of the stressors, problems and challenges they may encounter all throughout their clinical performances which is part of their chosen career. This knowledge will give them better and wider perspective about their profession and aid them in enhancing their coping abilities and self-confidence. The Clinical Instructors, the findings may provide them understanding why nursing students behave like they do. This study will also provide them hints of what remedial measures

they need to institute to lessen the learning difficulties of their students while undergoing clinical exposure. Further, it will eventually help them to build a better relationship with the students, promote educational growth, and improve human and public relations with the identified clinical area of operation. The school administrators and faculty, who may help to work out solutions and course of action that will improve the students performance and to lessen their burden in their clinical duties while on the learning process. It also gives them the chance to improve the quality of nursing education for the benefit of the students and the institution as well. The parents, this study will give insights to the parents about the stressors encountered by their siblings and to prepare them nor strengthen them by means of giving emotional and moral supports in ways that may help them how to face and manage their stress during their clinical duties. The patients, who are the recipients of the healthcare service given by the nursing students.

HYPOTHESES:
y There is no significant relationship between the stress management and the academic performance of the 4th year nursing students of Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Catarman, Northern Samar. There is no significant relationship between stress management and the number of paper works of the 4th year nursing students of Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Catarman, Northern Samar.

There is no significant relationship between the stress management and the performance in clinical duties of the 4th year nursing students of Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Catarman, Northern Samar.

Definition of Terms
To convey clearly the meaning of the words used in this study, the researchers defined the terms used operationally, as follows: Clinical Area. This pertains to the hospital setting wherein the nursing students apply and practice what they have learned in terms of rendering or applying nursing care and focusing on the holistic being of the patient. Clinical Instructors. These knowledge to the students. refer to persons who Impart

Clinical Duties. These refer to the exposure of the nursing students in different hospital wards/areas as well as in different types of hospital services in order to broaden his/her learning experiences while undergoing the Related Learning Experience program. Coping. This refers to the adaptation to stress events. Management. This refers to the act or art of managing the whole system of care and treatment of a sick individual. Nursing Students. These refer to the students enrolled in Colegio de San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila, Catarman, Northern Samar. Related Learning Experience. This pertains to the clinical exposure, which the nursing students have to undergo. It is required to all nursing students in order for them to have an in-depth and meaningful experience and easily appreciated when they are already in actual hospital situation. Stressors. This pertains to the performances of the nursing students. factors affecting the