The Process of Enhancing Autonomous Clinical Judgment among Japanese Nurses

Abstract

Purpose: It is crucial that nurses in Japan exert autonomy as professionals. One of the ways in which they exert autonomy in nursing practice is through autonomous clinical judgment. The aim of this study was to describe the process of how to enhance autonomous clinical judgment among Japanese nurses.

Method: We conducted semi-structured interviews of 14 nurses who had more than 8 years of clinical experience. The modified grounded theory approach was used for data collection and analysis.

Results: Five categories were extracted from 15 concepts. First, the process of autonomous clinical judgment of the nurses started from [building foundation to deepen their knowledge]. Nurse’s autonomous clinical judgment was enhanced constant repetition of the four categories of [using acquired knowledge and skills], [understanding knowledge and skills of others], [reviewing contents of judgment], and [increasing their knowledge and skills].

Conclusion: Autonomous clinical judgment of nurses was enhanced by accumulating knowledge and by reflecting on their nursing practices.