ABSTRACT
Assertiveness and critical thinking help improve the academic practice of nursing students. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between assertiveness and critical thinking in nursing students. This analytical and correlation study was performed on 213 nursing students in Tehran University of Medical Sciences using convenient sampling. Main study tools were California critical thinking skills test [CCTST] and assertiveness inventory of Gambril and Richi. Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 software using ANOVA, chi square and Pearson correlation coefficient test. Mean scores of assertiveness and critical thinking for nursing students were 68.15 +/- 12.79 and 9.32 +/- 3.38. Many students had moderate level of assertiveness [89.7%] and most of them had unusual level of critical thinking [94.8%]. Pearson correlation coefficient test showed a direct correlation between assertiveness and critical thinking [r=0.045] with no significant difference between the two variables [P=0.51]. It is necessary to revise the teaching strategy to improve the level of critical thinking in nursing curriculum. To achieve assertiveness training in nurses, efforts should be made to identifying and support nursing students who have low levels of critical thinking