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.
The data were collected from 188 nurses and analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé' test, Pearson correlation, and stepwise multiple regression analysis with the SPSS/WIN 20.0 PC program.
Professional nursing competency was found to have significant pure correlations with critical thinking disposition (r=.59,
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.