PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the satisfaction with clinical practice and clinical performance ability by types of self-directed learning ability of nursing students. METHODS: This was a triangular study that was conducted to understand clinical performance ability. The subjects were 260 junior and senior students from a university in P city. The data were collected from April 22 to December 30, 2015. Data were collected by Q-card, Q-block an assessment tool, a structured self-reporting survey and a questionnaire. RESULTS: We classified the self-directed learning abilities into four types: Type 1: a self-reflective person; Type 2: a person who prepares for the future; Type 3: a person with a sense of responsibility and obligation; and Type 4: an enthusiastic learner. We found that clinical performance ability was higher for Type 4 than Type 3. We found that clinical performance satisfaction with clinical practice was also higher for the Type 4 individual than a Type 3 person. CONCLUSION: To improve students' clinical performance ability, we need plans and support to lead students toward becoming an ‘enthusiastic learner’ type of person with self-directed learning ability. It is necessary to increase students' satisfaction with clinical practice.