A longitudinal study of critical thinking dispositions & critical thinking skills in baccalaureate nursing students

PURPOSE: This longitudinal study was done to investigate critical thinking dispositions and critical thinking skills of nursing students enrolled in a 4-year baccalaureate program at a university in Korea. METHOD: The study used a longitudinal design. A convenience sample of 32 nursing students who were completing their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th year in a baccalaureate program at a selected university was included. The subjects completed the California Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory (CCTDI), the California Critical Thinking Skill Test (CCTST), and a demographic questionnaire. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, repeated ANOVA, adjusted p-values, and Pearson's correlation coefficient with SAS 8.12. RESULTS: There was statistically significant improvement according to academic year in the CCTDI total mean score (F=7.54, p= .0001) and subscales of Open-mindedness, Self-confidence, and Maturity. Contrarily, no statistically significant difference was found in the CCTST total mean score and subscales' score except Analysis. CONCLUSION: There is no significant correlation between critical thinking dispositions and skills, so it will be necessary to repeat a study like this, and the translated instruments should be modified by considering Korean culture.