The Relationship Between Anxiety and Self-Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) of Nursing Students in Preparing for Facing Competency Exams at the Faculty Health Sciences at Abulyatama University.

Abstract

Anxiety is a subjective emotional state that can trigger feelings of discomfort, vague fear, and restlessness, and is often accompanied by autonomic system responses in the individual's body. This study aims to explore the relationship between anxiety and Self-Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) among nursing students as they prepare for competency exams at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Abulyatama University. The study employed a quantitative approach with a descriptive analytical design based on a cross-sectional study. All 41 nursing students in the competency exam preparation phase were involved as respondents through total sampling. Bivariate analysis revealed a significant relationship between anxiety and Self-Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) (p-value of 0.034; p < 0.05), indicating rejection of H0 and acceptance of Ha based on hypothesis testing criteria. Thus, it was found that there is a meaningful relationship between Anxiety and Self-Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) among nursing students preparing for competency exams. The conclusion of this study confirms the existence of a strong relationship between Anxiety and Self-Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) among nursing students preparing for competency exams at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Abulyatama University. As stated by the researcher, "Students are expected to be able to control Anxiety so that the Self Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) process can run optimally." Recommendations for further research are to explore other methods or new variables that may influence Self Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR) more comprehensively. Keywords: Anxiety, Self-Directed Learning Readiness (SDLR), Students, Competency Exam.