Title: Educational needs for strengthening the quality of Japanese nurse educators

Biography:

Atsuko Watanabe has completed a Master degree from Kyoto University School of Public Health. She is a Ph.D. student at Division of Health Sciences, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, specializing in Nursing Education and Nursing Management. She is a lecturer at Faculty of Nursing and Health Care, Baika Women's University, Osaka, Japan.

Abstract

Background: Career development and continuing education are essential for nurses to develop their professional competencies. Nurse educators are expected to provide those programs catered to the needs of nurses with validated effectiveness. However, there are few opportunities for Japanese nurse educators to receive educational training for improving their quality and skills. This study aimed to identify the educational needs for nurse educators, as perceived by certified nurse administrators.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 228 Japanese certified nurse administrators who were randomly selected. A questionnaire was developed based on the standards of continuing education and group interviews. Simple tabulation was performed, and free descriptions were coded and categorized according to meaning in order to identify the educational needs for nurse educators.

Results: A total of 101 certified nurses responded to the questionnaire. Nine categories were identified for nurse educators to be strengthened; communication, self-development, building personal relationships, management, human resource development and career development, planning and practical skills, analysis and evaluation, education (general and nursing), and nurse educator development seminars.

Conclusion: Building a support system and providing educational programs are needed for Japanese nurse educators to develop their professional competencies and skills.