Influence of Critical Thinking Disposition and Emotional Intelligence on Clinical Competence in Nursing Students

Abstract

This purpose of the study is to investigate the influence of critical thinking disposition and emotional intelligence on clinical competence of nursing students. A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by 175 Korean nursing students from September 5 to September 12, 2013. Data were analyzed by frequencies, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, multiple regression using SPSS Win 18.0. Critical thinking disposition showed a close correlation with emotional intelligence in nursing students(r=.582, p.001). Critical thinking disposition and emotional intelligence explained 36.7% of total variance of clinical competence in nursing students. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement the curriculum and program for improving critical thinking disposition and emotional intelligence of nursing students.