Relationship between critical thinking ability and self-directed learning competence among nursing students in military medical university

Objective To explore the status of critical thinking ability and self-directed learning competence and its relationship among nursing students,so as to provide reference for nursing education reformation in military medical university.Methods A total of 161 nursing students were investigated with Selfdirected Learning Competence Scale and Chinese Version of the California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CTDI-CV).Then,analysed the relationship between them.Results The average score of self-directed learning competence of nursing students was (168.77 ± 17.78),and critical thinking ability average score was (305.85 ±32.01 ),and every dimension score was more than 40.Nursing students' self-directed learning competence was positively correlated with critical thinking ability (r=0.611,P＜0.01 ).Conclusions The students who have higher self-dirceted learning competence always get stronger critical thinking ability.To improve nursing students' self-directed learning competence may help enhancing their critical thinking. Key words: Talent;  Military medical university;  Nursing students;  Critical thinking;  Selfdirected learning competence