Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship of clinical competency and self-directed learning in nursing students. Method: This study was conducted at two nursing colleges with students in a 2 year undergraduate nursing program. Data were collected from 182 students by means of self reporting questionnaires from October 1 to October 8, 2004. The data were analyzed by SPSS 10.0 PC programs using descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient. Result: The questionnaire of students' clinical competency consisted of nineteen items based on a five point summated rating scale and was categorized into six subscales by factor analysis. The six subscales are nursing process, major nursing intervention, education for clients, observation and physical examination, and fundamental nursing. The more adaptable to major, the higher clinical competency (F= 3.406, p= .035) and self-directed learning (F= 7.444, p= .001). There was a positive correlation between students' clinical competency and self-directed learning (r= .367, p= .001). Conclusion: we concluded that future research should explore strategies for the development of self-directed learning to improve clinical competency of nursing students.

Keywords

• Clinical competency;
• Self-directed learning

• 임상수행능력;
• 자기주도적 학습;