Assessment of self-directed learning among nursing students

Learning is a lifelong process which can be achieved consciously or unconsciously. Conscious learning can be made more effective by self motivation. Being directed towards one's own learning can not only enhance the stable learning but can also is a source of self development.

The present study was conducted with an aim to assess the levels of self-directedness towards learning among nursing students. This paper presents a description of nursing students' level of self directedness towards their own learning.

A quantitative approach with a descriptive method was used in this study. The setting for the study included two private nursing institutes. The tool for the study was a standardized tool on self directedness towards nursing developed by Dr Swapna Williamson.

The study revealed that that 39.2% of total respondents were always aware of the areas of self-directedness in learning, about 40% of the students always participated in different types of learning strategies and found them quite effective. The percentage of respondents, who always would evaluate themselves before taking any further step in the matter, was found to be 40.7. The overall analysis of the responses revealed that the responses of “always come forth in 44% cases for interpersonal skills ”followed by evaluation 40.7%, learning strategies 39.7%, and awareness 39.2% and learning activities 37.9%. Learning strategies were seldom or never made use of in 7.4% of the cases followed by 5.6 in respect of learning activities and awareness. This percentage was 5.04 for interpersonal skills, 4.0 for evaluation.

On the basis of the findings it can be concluded that students do possess self-directedness in learning but to low level. Thus there is need to enhance the self directedness of nursing students so that they consider learning as their own responsibility and not an enforced commitment.