RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The study is descriptive research study to investigate the self-directed learning ability to explore the facts that influence of anatomy using cadaver dissection beginning nursing students.METHODS: A descriptive research design was used. The data was collected from 31st May to 7 June, 2016. The participants were total 121 first-year nursing students in C University. This anatomy practicum course was composed of three session, and each session was composed of 3hours, 60minutes of body structure and anatomy lecture, 90 minutes of cadaver dissection, and 30minutes of summary.RESULTS: The results of the study showed that satisfaction with cadaver dissection was statistically significant in the usefulness in connection with the major of nursing (r=.543, p < .001), educational understanding (r=.465, p < .001), and nursing learning motivation (r=.517, p < .001). As the nursing learning motivation increased, self-directed learning ability increased. Also nursing learning motivation influenced self-directed learning (β=0.266, p < .01).CONCLUSION: It is necessary to develop a program that can link theoretical education with practicum education of anatomy using cadaver dissection for efficient learning of the anatomy major courses of nursing students.