Keywords
Nursing students
Higher education
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Abstract
Objective: To report the experience of undergraduate nursing students regarding the repercussions of university life on their mental health. Experience report: The participants were three undergraduate students from a federal university in Brazil, enrolled between the fifth and tenth semesters. Initially, the students did not have nursing as their first career choice and experienced frustrations during the basic courses, associated with the social undervaluation of the profession and academic overload. As their education progressed, they began to recognize the complexity and autonomy of nursing practice, which contributed to a renewed sense of purpose in their academic trajectory and positively influenced their mental health. However, they reported experiencing anxiety, insecurity, loneliness, and exhaustion particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when social isolation and the challenges of remote learning intensified. Coping strategies included improved study organization, strengthening support networks, and incorporating leisure activities into their routines. Final considerations: University life has ambivalent effects on nursing students’ mental health, acting as both a source of distress and personal growth. Institutional policies that foster support, inclusion, and recognition of students’ subjective experiences are essential for promoting mental well-being in higher education.
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