2023 Volume 43 Pages 305-314
Aim: This study aimed to identify the nationwide distribution of certified nurse administrators (CNA), and secondary healthcare area and facility characteristics related to their affiliation.
Methods: We used five open databases. Two national maps were created by adding CNA affiliation/non-affiliation information to the map by secondary medical region characteristics. Furthermore, bivariate analyses (t-test, analysis of variance, and chi-square test) were conducted to confirm the association between secondary medical area characteristics and the number of facilities with CNA affiliation, and between facility characteristics and the presence of CNA affiliation.
Results: The medical areas with no CNAs within the secondary medical area were primarily rural medical areas, and medical areas with no educational institutions had significantly fewer CNAs within the area (p < .001). At the facility level, number of beds, distance to educational institution, establisher, and Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) classification were associated with whether the facility had a CNA (p < .001).
Conclusion: The distribution of CNAs nationwide was uneven according to regional and facility characteristics; it is necessary to implement programs for education and dissemination that will correct the uneven distribution of CNAs.
