Introduction: Among the student population, nursing students are among the most vulnerable groups to experiencing stress and anxiety. In addition to intensive study demands, they face the challenges of clinical practice and the need to balance study requirements with personal life. Aim: The purpose of this master’s thesis was to examine the level of perceived stress and anxiety among nursing students in Slovenia, to identify the most salient sources of stress and anxiety, and to explore the role of social support in relation to these experiences. Methods: The study included 112 nursing students from different higher education institutions in Slovenia. Data were collected through an online survey, which included the Perceived Stress Scale, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and questions regarding social support and sources of stress and anxiety. Descriptive statistics, reliability coefficients, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and Pearson correlation analysis were used. Results: The most intense sources of stress and anxiety were identified as exams, fear of failure, study overload, and balancing study with private life. The least stressful sources were social comparison and poor relationships with patients, colleagues, and peers. Analysis revealed a strong and statistically significant positive correlation between stress and anxiety (r = 0.65; p < 0.001). Social support showed a negative, mostly weak and statistically insignificant association with both constructs. Discussion and conclusion: The results confirm that nursing students are burdened by academic and personal factors that simultaneously trigger stress and anxiety. The findings suggest the need to introduce measures aimed at reducing stress and anxiety, such as relaxation training, counseling support, and education on coping strategies. Particular attention should also be given to strengthening social support from teachers and mentors, as this may play an important role in helping students cope more effectively with the challenges of academic and clinical environments.
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