Purpose: This study is a descriptive study to investigate the effect of grit, metacognition, and information literacy on self-directed learning ability of nursing students. Methods: Data were collected from 158 nursing students in daegu and north gyeongsang province. The data were analyzed to examine the relationship between grit, metacognition, information literacy and self-directed learning ability using technical statistics, t-test, centralized variance analysis, Pearson's correlation coefficients and phased multiple regression analysis. Results: The results showed that self-directed learning ability is related to grit, metacognition, and information literacy. Self-directed learning ability showed correlation between grit, metacognition, and information literacy and quantity. Factors influencing the self-directed learning ability of nursing college students related to ability to information literacy (β=.50, p=.001), grit (β=.24 p=.001), and metacognition (β=.16, p=.024). The explanatory power of these results was 44%. Conclusion: The results show that it is necessary to develop educational programs that can improve grit, meta-recognition, and information utilization skills for each nursing student. In addition, research is needed to improve self-directed learning skills.