Abstract
The process of developing nursing education in Japan was investigated in comparison to the United States. This study points out that baccalaureate nursing programs rapidly increased during the 1990s in Japan and graduate programs ware expanded hereafter. The impact that the expansion of baccalaureate nursing programs had on the quality of nursing care is also discussed, Collen J. Goode, et al, points out the differences between nurses with bachelor education and other nurses as follows on their article.
1) Greater Critical Thinking Skills; 2) Less Task Oriented; 3) Greater Professionalism; 4) Stronger Leadership Skills; 5) More Focused on Continuity of Care and its Outcome; 6) Greater Focus on Psychosocial Components; 7) Better Communication Skills, and 8) Greater Focus on Patient Teaching. They also suggested that bachelor educated nurses would be needed more in clinical setting showing their findings that head nurses want more bachelor educated nurses into their ward.
Finally, clinical experience was emphasized along with the baccalaureate degree. To maintain the quality of nursing care, quoting the findings of Mary A, Blegen, et al. a relationship was observed between the quality of care (Medication Error & Patient Fall) and the length of nursing experience.
