Introduction: Self-efficacy has a significant role to apply knowledge, scientific and professional skills. It is feasible to have more compatible and active students in both learning and their personal and social life via developing critical thinking and general self-efficacy. This study assesses the relationship between critical thinking and self-efficacy of nursing student.

Methods: The present correlation study was conducted on all senior nursing students (N=50) in 2013. Study instruments included demographics, standard California Critical Thinking Skills and Sherer general self-efficacy questionnaires. Data analysis was performed by SPSS software version 16 using descriptive statistics, Spearman and Pearson correlation coefficient tests.

Results: Results revealed that there was positive and significant correlation between critical thinking and self-efficacy of nursing students (rs=0.42, P=0.002).

Conclusions: According to the positive relationship between critical thinking and self- efficacy of nursing students, developing high level thinking skills as one of the most essential missions of higher education is a necessity to apply appropriate approaches which lead to thinking development.