The Influence of metacognition, decision-making type on self-confidence and anxiety with clinical decision making of nursing students

Objectives This study was conducted to investigate the affect that metacognition and decision-making style in nursing students have on self-confidence and anxiety with respect to clinical decision making. Methods Data were collected with a structured questionnaire that was distributed to 135 nursing students. Using the SPSS/WIN statistics program, the collected data were analyzed in descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, hierarchical multiple regression analysis. Results The mean scores of self-confidence and anxiety with clinical decision making were 3.80±1.00, 2.64±0.86, and metacognition was 3.77±0.57 respectively. Among the decision-making type, the rational type has the highest average score of 2.92±0.56. Anxiety, metacognition, rational type and intuitive type were significantly associated with self-confidence with clinical decision making. And self-confidence and dependent type were significantly associated with anxiety with clinical decision making. Conclusions To improve nursing students' self-confidence with respect to clinical decision making, it is necessary to reduce anxiety and to find teaching strategies and learning methods of instructors to promote metacognition. And appropriate programs need to be provided to nursing students to improve rational decision-making skill.