This study defined the sources of stress in college nursing students. An interview was held wit h 54 student nurses, after they completed required curriculum and 8 months clinical experience. Data were collected and a content analysis was completed. The result: The clinical and academic were the main sources of stress in college nursing students. The major sub-areas were courses, examinations, conflicting philosophies of patient care, evaluation process, initial experiences, feelings of personal competence and health problems.