2009 Volume 13 Issue 2 Pages 73-80
The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristic of nurses in mid-career and to understand the present circumstances of their professional development in Japan.
A literature review for the period of 1995 to 2005 was performed using electronic database (Ichushi), using the following key phrase: mid-career nurse/s. Thirty-two research articles , thirty-three practical reports and two journals were reviewed.
Results indicated there was no standardized definition of nurses in mid-career. Many researchers described it using years of clinical experience or positions. However, five years of clinical experience was included in most definitions.
The characteristic of nurses in mid-career were summarized by three aspects: their ability, problems, and factors which foster their development. It appears that nurses in mid-career have higher nursing abilities compared to younger nurses and degree of their ability development varied. Also they have many conflicts.
A variety of professional development programs for mid-career nurses including human resource management programs were reported. Many programs included two components; experiential learning and reflection about self and work place.
The author considered professional development programs for mid-career nurses should aim to foster abilities to perform expected roles such as leadership, to develop their career on their own initiative, and to overcome conflicts. In addition, the programs should include opportunities for mid-career nurses to receive recognitions from others.
