The ability to solve problems and make decisions creatively has become paramount to new nursing graduates, as these skills assist them with recognizing and evaluating situations that require prompt attention. The purpose of this study was to determine and compare nursing student's perceived levels of own problem solving skills in various years of their 4-year program.

This is a cross-sectional study. Three hundred and twenty-two undergraduate nursing students in BSc nursing program participated in this study. The study setting was nursing School of Iran university of medical sciences. The Problem solving inventory (PSI) was used to data gathering. The scale was divided into three subscales including: problem-solving confidence (PSC), approaching avoidance style (AAS), and personal control (SC). Students involved in the study signed the study Informed consent.

Findings showed that the mean score of total problem solving skill was 89.52 ± 21.58. The mean score of the 4th year students in PSI was less than other year students (84.18 ± 27.47 vs 89.13 ± 18.71, 91.57 ± 21.87, and 91.52 ± 20.8). This study finding revealed that 4th year students in 3 factors of problem solving (PSC, AAS, PC) considered themselves more successful than others. Meanwhile, when the results are compared according, no significant differences occurred among the student in different years (F: 1.46, P ≤ 0.22).

Educating should help students to reach the desired levels of problem solving skills by allowing them to acquire and practice these abilities in the field. Nursing students with advanced problem solving skills will be essential for this changing society.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.