A New Perspective on Competencies for Self-Directed Learning

In baccalaureate in nursing programs, self-directed methods of education have been used for many decades. A major goal of this type of approach to education is to provide students with the necessary competencies to become lifelong learners. Students must be exposed to self-directed learning competencies to obtain the knowledge, skills, and attributes unique to their personal and professional growth. It has been proposed that six competencies are required for students to become self-directed learners: self-assessment of learning gaps; evaluation of self and others; reflection; information management; critical thinking; and critical appraisal. Each of these skills are not mutually exclusive but are interrelated in such a way that students use all or a combination of them simultaneously to direct and control their learning.