Comparison of first-year nursing students' GAD-7 scores: a pilot study focusing on Generation Z.

Background: In a post-pandemic landscape, Generation Z (Gen Z) nursing students are increasingly facing mental health challenges, notably anxiety. This study investigated these challenges among first-year nursing students.

Aims: The primary objective was to assess self-reported anxiety levels in first-year undergraduate nursing students, focusing on Gen Z, before or at the onset of their initial clinical placement post-pandemic.

Methods: Employing a cross-sectional design, this study used the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire to evaluate anxiety levels. It encompassed first-year nursing students from various fields at a university in North East England, considering generational differences, field of nursing, and demographic variables.

Findings: Results indicated anxiety levels among generational groups, with Gen Z students exhibiting extreme variations. Notably, students in Mental Health Nursing reported less anxiety than their counterparts in other nursing fields. The study also sheds light on the ramifications of the COVID-19 pandemic on student mental health.

Conclusions: The study underscores the necessity for bespoke support systems in educational and clinical environments, particularly for Gen Z students. It advocates for comprehensive strategies in universities and clinical settings to nurture nursing students' emotional health, thereby enhancing their resilience and long-term career prospects.