Stress is a prevalent issue among nursing undergraduate students, significantly impacting their academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being. This study aims to analyze the stress levels and coping strategies employed by nursing students in managing academic, clinical, and personal challenges. A qualitative approach was used, involving a semi-structured questionnaire to analyse the stress levels and identify coping mechanisms, alongside qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights into students' experiences. The data has been collected from N-20 nursing college students of Karachi by using purposive sampling. Study follows phenomenological research design for the study and used Brown and Clark (2006) content analysis model for transcription analysis.

The findings revealed that academic workload, clinical responsibilities, and fear of making errors were the primary stressors. Students employed a variety of coping strategies, ranging from problem-solving and time management to emotional support from peers and family. However, maladaptive strategies such as avoidance were also reported. Notably, students with higher emotional resilience tended to adopt more effective coping mechanisms, resulting in better stress management outcomes.

This study underscores the need for targeted interventions, including stress management workshops, mentorship programs, and mental health resources, to support nursing students in navigating their academic and clinical environments. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of stress dynamics in nursing education and highlight the importance of fostering resilience and effective coping skills in future healthcare professionals.