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Objectives This study aimed to identify the mediating effect of communication competence in the relationship between critical thinking disposition and clinical practice stress in nursing students. Methods The participants were 181 nursing students with clinical practice experience. Data were collected from July, 7 to July, 30, 2023 using self-reported online survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and multiple regression following the Baron and Kenny method and Sobel test for mediation. Results There are significant relationships between clinical practice stress and critical thinking disposition (r=-.33, p<.001), clinical practice stress and communication competence(r=-.36, p<.001), and between critical thinking disposition and communication competence(r=.67, p<.001). Communication competence(β=-.24, p=.031) had a complete medicating effect in the relationship between critical thinking disposition and clinical practice stress(Z=-2.47, p=.014). Conclusions In order to reduce clinical practice stress among nursing students, It is required to develop tailored nursing education programs focusing on enhancing communication competence and improving critical thinking disposition.
Ju Sung Kim (Mon,) studied this question.