The Effect of Covid-19 Fear and Death Anxiety on the Professional Values of Intern Nursing Students Before Clinical Practices

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the effect of COVID-19 fear and death anxiety on intern nursing students before they enter clinical practice, focusing on changes in their professional values. Method: The population of this descriptive and cross-sectional study included a total of 218 intern nursing students from a university in Turkey, the sample of the study consisted of 215, which is among the top five provinces where the COVID-19 pandemic is felt most intense in Turkey. Results: The students had moderate COVID-19 fear and death anxiety and good professional values. A positive correlation was found between the level of the COVID-19 Fear Scale and both the Abdel-Khalek Death Anxiety Scale and the safety sub-dimension of professional values. All of the sub-dimensions of professional values and fear of COVID-19 median were found to be higher in the students who desire to clinical practice. The factors affecting the Death Anxiety Scale included caring for bedridden patients. Further, fear of COVID-19 factors affecting was the desire for clinical practice negatively. Conclusion: During the pandemic process, it was determined COVID-19 fear and death anxiety. It was determined that the professional values of the students were not affected and those with high human dignity, responsibility, and safety values wanted to start clinical practice. So, it is thought that psychological counseling and pieces of training for the development of professional values will be beneficial in the prevention of leaving the profession or in the development of values during the pandemic process.