The Relationship of Clinical Competency and Self-directed Learning in Nursing Students

Yang, Jin-Ju; Park, Mi-Young

The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education 2004;10(2):271-277.
Published online June 30, 2004.

Yang, Jin-Ju;Park, Mi-Young;

¹Department of Nursing, Kwangju Health College
²Department of Nursing, Suncheon Cheongam College

간호학생의 임상수행능력과 자기주도적 학습의 관계

양진주, 박미영

¹광주보건대학 간호과
²순천청암대학 간호과

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.

Key Words: Clinical competency, Self-directed learning