PURPOSE The descriptive-correlational study was undertaken in order to investigate the relationships between critical thinking disposition and critical thinking skill in clinical nurses. METHODS A convenience sample of 50 registered nurses was obtained from E University Hospital. The instruments used in this study were general characteristics, California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) and California Critical Thinking Skill Test(CCTST) developed by Facione & Facione (1994). The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test and Pearson's Correlation Coefficient with SPSS 12.0 Program. RESULTS 1) There was a statistically significant difference in critical thinking disposition according to age (F=3.23, p=.03) and educational background (F=39.07, p=.00). 2) There was a statistically significant difference in critical thinking skill according to age (F=3.40, p=.02), educational background(F=32.51, p=.00), and period of professional nursing experience(F=3.56, p=.02). CONCLUSION A significant positive correlation between critical thinking disposition and critical thinking skill was found(r=.68, p=.00). Critical thinking disposition and critical thinking skill according to age and educational background had statistically significant differences. Therefore, it is needed to emphasize the necessity of continuous education and training of nurses which prepare their critical thinking ability.
PURPOSE This descriptive - comparison study was conducted to investigate the critical thinking disposition of senior nursing students in three types of nursing program. Method The convenience sample was drawn from 472 nursing students. Instruments used in this study were made California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory developed by Facione & Facione (1994). Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test with SAS 6.12 program. RESULTS: 1. The total mean score of critical thinking disposition was 279.06. Inquisitiveness was the highest with an mean score 45.50, while systematicity was the lowest with mean score of 36.15. There was a statistically significant difference in critical thinking disposition(F=14.36, p=.00)according to senior nursing students in three types of nursing programs. 2. There was a statistically significant difference in critical thinking disposition(F=5.53, p=.00) according to age, marital status(t=-3.15, p=.00), religion(F=3.26, p=.02) and critical thinking course taken previously(t=3.10, p=.00). CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant difference in critical thinking disposition(F=14.36, p=.00) according to senior nursing students in three types of nursing program. There was a statistically significant difference in Critical thinking disposition according to age, marital status, religion, logic, philosophy, critical thinking course.