Abstract

Purpose: A descriptive survey was used in this study to identify the relationship between nurses' critical thinking disposition, self-directed learning readiness and professional nursing competency and to examine factors that influence professional nursing competency. Methods: The data were collected from 188 nurses and analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, $Scheff{\acute{e}}$' test, Pearson correlation, and stepwise multiple regression analysis with the SPSS/WIN 20.0 PC program. Results: Professional nursing competency was found to have significant pure correlations with critical thinking disposition (r=.59, p<.001), and self-directed learning readiness (r=.54, p<.001). The most influential factor influencing nurses' professional nursing competency was critical thinking disposition, followed by self-directed learning readiness (${\beta}=.25$, p=.003), work department (${\beta}=.19$, p=.001), total clinical career (${\beta}=.19$, p=.003), and position (${\beta}=.12$, p=.040), and these factors explained 43.8% of the variance in professional nursing competency. Conclusion: The findings indicate the necessity of developing and applying strategies and educational programs to enhance individual nurse's critical thinking disposition and self-directed learning readiness. Furthermore, exploration is needed on ways to enhance professional nursing competency.

Keywords

• Critical thinking disposition;
• Self-directed learning readiness;
• Professional nursing competency;
• Nurses

• 비판적 사고성향;
• 학습 관련 자기주도성;
• 간호업무수행능력;
• 간호사;