Abstract
This study was conducted with the purpose to clarify the emotional and mental growth process of Certified Nurse Specialists (CNS) in Japan in acknowledging their roles as CNS. Semi-constitutive interviews were conducted with eleven CNS who cooperated in this study. Contents of the interviews were analyzed qualitatively.
The emotional and mental growth process of the CNS's interviewed, were categorized into the following four time based stages: 1) conflict period, 2) refining period, 3) creation period, 4) development period. The subjects are loaded with their ambiguous acknowledgement of their roles during the initial stage. With support from their colleagues/superiors, they repeated the process to reflect on their own roles as CNS, and through this process they were gradually able to grasp their own understanding of their roles. Approximately 3 years were necessary for this stage. With 6 to 10 years of experience and continued efforts, they were able to firmly acknowledge their role as CNS.
Through this growth process, following implications in the nursing field was obtained; discussion on the appropriate state of graduate education for CNS, necessity of support for newly appointed CNS, necessity for construction of relationship between the entire organization and CNS.
