Objective: This study was performed in order to examine the clinical stress levels of nursing students during their first clinical practice and their stress coping styles. Methods: This descriptive study was performed with 91 freshmen in the nursing department of Namık Kemal University who experienced clinical practice for the first time. Data was collected using a student identification form, the clinical stress questionnaire and the stress-coping patterns scale. Results: The students’ mean age was 19.94±2.91. The mean stress score of the students during their first clinical experience was found to be 29.16±7.92. When the stress coping styles of the students were examined, their mean self-confidence approach score was 2.93±0.54, their seeking social support score was 2.73±0.48, their optimistic approach score was 2.68±0.61, their helpless/self-accusatory approach score was 2.17±0.50, and their submissive approach score was 1.84±0.44. Conclusion: The clinical stress levels of the students were found to be low and the students were found to use the confident approach most in coping with stress.