Anxiety and depression in Nursing students during Oncology internship

Objective: To identify the degree of depression and anxiety inNursing students during their Oncology internship. Methods: Thirtyeight Nursing students (third year) participated in the survey. Data were obtained by sociodemographic information and past medical history; anxiety and depression scale; and difficulties faced during the internship. Results: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale showed that 57.89% (22) corresponded to non-cases and 42.10% (16) to possible or probable cases of anxiety; of these, 75%(12) had or had had cases of cancer in the family. The scale further showed that 65.78% (25) corresponded to non-cases and 34.21%(13) to possible or probably cases of depression; and of these, eight(61.53%) had or had had cases of cancer in the family. Conclusions:The anxiety rate was significantly higher in the group with familycases of cancer. As to depression, no difference was found betweenthe groups.