The present study aimed to clarify the factors indispensable for the improvement of practical nursing competence based on the viewpoints of nurses with less than five years of clinical experience. This study surveyed 522 clinical nurses using anonymous paper-based, open-ended questionnaires that asked about the factors indispensable for the improvement of practical nursing competence. Of the 253 respondents, 71 nurses with less than five years of clinical experience provided valid responses, which were extracted and then analyzed using text mining. The results showed that the most frequently cited term used in the responses was “work environment,” followed by “ambition,” “knowledge,” “eagerness,” “competence,” “experience,” “patient,” and “communication”. These data were classified into the following categories: “Education and guidance system for the medical team that contributes to the motivation to learn,” “Knowledge and technical skills,” “Work environment guarantees training participation and a comfortable working relationship,” “Presence of a senior nurse who contributes to one’s learning,” and “Proactive behavior.” The findings suggest that the harmonious combination of a nurturing work environment, nurses’ personal qualities and other supporting factors is important for improving the practical competence of nurses with less than five years of clinical experience.
