Contributions of Nurses after a Nuclear Accident and a Proposal for Education in Radiation Nursing

Abstract

We propose an education program for radiation nursing based on the experiences and approaches of nurses during and after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident. In the initial phase after the nuclear accident, nurses played a role in helping the patients deal with the radionuclide contamination and in developing a radiation emergency system. In the chronic phase, nurses participated in consultations with evacuees regarding their anxiety about the radiation exposure and contributed to preparedness strategies for radiation emergencies. Fukushima Medical University (FMU) has run this consultation project for evacuees since 2012 to deal with anxieties about the health effects of radiation and resulting physical and mental problems. Nurses have participated in many situations since the FDNPP accident. However, they have insufficient information about radiation-related health effects because such information was not included in their education programs. This disaster showed that health care providers need to be able to communicate correct information to patients and residents about radiation-related health effects. Based on our experiences, we propose the establishment of a practical education system of radiation nursing in Japan. We also propose a training system to authorize specialists who will provide this education.