This study was conducted to investigate academic self-efficacy, critical thinking disposition, and learning motivation, which influence problem solving ability in nursing students. Data were collected from June 4, 2018 to June 29, 2018, and the final 213 data points were used for analysis. The SPSS/WIN 22.0 program was used to conduct descriptive statics, Pearson's correlation coefficient, t-tests, ANOVA, Scheffe's test and multiple regression analysis. The problem solving ability according to the general characteristics differed among residential type (F=3.930, p=0.021) and satisfaction with major (F=4.618, p=0.011). In the correlation between academic self-efficacy, critical thinking disposition, learning motivation, and problem solving ability of the subject, academic self-efficacy (r=0.573, p<0.001), critical thinking disposition (r=0.620, p<0.001), and learning motivation (r=0.563, p<0.001). The factors affecting the problem solving ability of the study subjects were major satisfaction (${\beta}=.117$, p=0.036), academic self-efficacy (${\beta}=0.314$, p<0.001), critical thinking disposition (${\beta}=0.318$, p<0.001), and learning motivation (${\beta}=0.217$, p=0.004), with an explanatory power of 45.2%. In this study, it is necessary to confirm the effects of the development of the intervention program and the application of the program, which can improve the problem solving ability of nursing students.