Critical thinking and self-directed learning as an outcome of problem-based learning among nursing students in Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Background: Professional nurses need to develop critical thinking skills that will provide them with expertise in situation- specific problem solving. Objectives: Describe the critical thinking and self directed learning abilities of the nursing students following Problem- based learning approach in two countries; Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia KSA. Method: A descriptive analytic research design was conducted. The study sample was consists of 60 students from first year in faculty of nursing divided by Egypt and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Instruments: The Self-Directed Learning Readiness Scale for Nursing Education (SDLRSNE) and Critical Thinking Dispositions Inventory were used. Results: This study revealed that the mean and standard deviation of total critical thinking was (102± 14.45 and 101±16.44) in KSA and Egypt respectively without significant difference between both countries. Moreover, the mean of total score of self direct learning was (162±27.04 and 157±23.64) in KSA and Egypt respectively. Conclusion: This study concluded that teaching with problem solving approach increase levels of critical thinking and self-directed learning in both countries without variation.