A Review of the Contents and Educational Trend of Thinking to Support the Specialty of the Nursing in Basic Nursing Education in Japan

Abstract

〔Objectives〕To describe which contents of thinking to support the specialty of the nursing have been taught in basic nursing education in Japan and to determine the trend of the education for the thought.

〔Methods〕The following were searched for materials about thinking and educational strategies in basic nursing education: ministry reports on basic nursing education; academic conference papers from Japan Academy of Nursing Education journals; and magazines on nursing education. Relevant materials were identified and organized chronologically.

〔Results〕Three phases of thinking emerged: a logical way of thinking necessitated by evidence-based nursing; complex thinking processes that form the foundation of nursing competency; and thinking to develop nursing science as a profession based on graduates’ attributes. With the development of the thought, the educational strategies changed, too.

〔Discussion〕The contents of thinking required in basic nursing education have changed to highly complex and sophisticated thinking that accord with the situation of society, and educational strategies have been developed accordingly. To develop clinical judgment and acquire the thinking necessary for advanced professional development, how thinking is cultivated must be established together with educational strategies.