Int. J. Pure Appl. Sci. Technol., 17(2) (2013), pp. 1-8 International Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences and Technology ISSN 2229 - 6107 Available online at www.ijopaasat.in Research Paper Metacognition: Usage by Nursing Students in the University E.N. Chiejina 1, * and R.C. Ebenebe 2 1 Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences & Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nnewi Campus, Nigeria 2 Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria * Corresponding author, e-mail: (nkechichiejina@yahoo.com) (Received: 8-5-13; Accepted: 30-6-13) Abstract: In this study, the authors investigated usage of metacognitive strategies by nursing students in the universities. The sample size was 240. Two research questions and two null hypotheses guided the study. The instrument used for data collection was questionnaire titled Metacognitive Strategies in Nursing (QMCSN). Mean score, standard deviation (SD) and Spearman Rank Correlation Co-efficient (rho) were used to answer the research questions while Chi-Square and Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests were used to test the null hypotheses at 0.01 level of significance. The result indicated significant correlation between nursing students’ metacognitive self-regulation, the learning strategies they adopt in their clinical practice and the barriers to self- reflection. The study also showed significant difference in the metacognitive goals among the student levels as well as significant relationship between the nursing students in government and private universities with regard to their metacognitive self-evaluation strategies in the clinical setting. Recommendations were given based on the findings. Keywords: Metacognition, self-regulation, goals, learning strategies, clinical practice, self-evaluation, Barriers, self reflection, Nursing students. Introduction Flavell (1979) defined metacognition as the ability to think about thinking. Mezirow (1981) describes metacognition as reflective thinking or a level of consciousness that exists through executive cognitive control and self- communication about experiences. Martinez (2006) views metacognition