Comparison of Depression Rate Between the First- and Final-Year Nursing Students in Kermanshah, Iran

BACKGROUND: Depression can affect nursing students’ quality of life, academic performance, and clinical self-efficacy and may interfere with their relationship with patients. The purpose of this study was to compare of depression rate between the first- and final-year nursing students in Kermanshah, Iran. METHODS: In this descriptive–analytical study, 60 first-year and 42 last-year nursing students were enrolled. The participants were chosen using the census sampling method. The data collection tool was Beck’s Depression Inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: In our study, 61.7% (n = 37) of the first year and 38.1% (n = 16) of the last year students had varying degrees of depression. The rate of depression was significantly higher in first-year students than last-year students (p = 0.013). DISCUSSION: Given the relatively high rate of depression among nursing students, the need for targeted planning to control their mental health, especially in the first year of study, is of importance.