Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between self-directed learning in nurses and support received from others in clinical practice. Methods: A logistic regression analysis was performed using the basic attributes of 255 nurses, a Self-Directed Learning measurement scale, and a scale measuring support received from others. Results: Reflection support from the head nurse/assistant head nurse (OR=1.28) is related to “orientation toward growth and development;” mental support from the head nurse/assistant head nurse (OR=1.11) and from elder nurse (OR=0.91) are related to “self-targeting and control.” Age (OR=0.61), clinical ladder (OR=1.97), and mental support from the head nurse/assistant head nurse (OR=1.11) are related to “learning skills and foundation” while reflection support from the peer nurse (OR=0.83) is related to “confidence, pride, and stability.” Conclusions: The self-directed learning of nurses can be improved if they receive support that would allow them to deeply reflect on their own nursing practice, and mental support from the head nurse/assistant head nurse that would give them confidence in their growth, and also by increasing reciprocity in the workplace.

Objective: Some patients receive genome therapy for cancer for which there is no standard treatment, or the standard treatment has been completed making them aware of death. This study identifies the relationship between nursing care for such patients and the “nurses’ views of life and death” required to provide nursing care. Methods: A questionnaire survey targeting 91 nurses caring for cancer patients was conducted to perform an exploratory factor analysis of factors of “nursing care for patients receiving cancer genome therapy.” Multiple regression analysis used these factors as dependent variables and “nurses’ views of life and death” as an independent variable. Results: Five factors and 38 items were abstracted for “nursing care for patients receiving cancer genome therapy,” and “nurses’ views of life and death” was demonstrated to have influenced these factors. Conclusions: “Nursing care for patients receiving cancer genome therapy” was characterized by factors which targeted patients suffering from a disease that makes them aware of death, and “nurses’ views of life and death” influenced these factors, suggesting the need for nurses to establish their views on life and death in cancer genome medical care.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the conceptual structure of social skills in order to obtain suggestions of the social skills required by nurses in Japan. Methods: Literature from multiple disciplines as well as landmark and media-disseminated literature were retrieved and analyzed using Rodgers and Knafl’s concept analysis method. Results: After analyzing 57 references, four subcategories were extracted as antecedents for social skills—including “purpose”—and six as attributes of regulations—including “skills that facilitate relationships” and “skills that are performed in response to a situation.” Five categories of consequences of social skills were also identified, including “goal achievement” and “preventing and resolving difficulties.” In recent years, social skills have become essential for online relationships. Conclusions: The results of the concept analysis indicated that the social skills required by nurses can be defined as “a generic term for learnable skills that nurses in Japanese society perform in situations to achieve their goals of interpersonal assistance, multi-professional collaboration, and building favorable interpersonal relationships with people.” Moreover, nurses require social skills to build relationships with diverse people. It is also important to address the differences in social skills due to social background and culture. With the spread of telenursing, nurses will also be required to have efficient Internet-based assessment skills.

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the process from employment to the decision to leave among nurses who left their first workplace in the 2-3 years after graduation and the factors that hindered continued employment. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted among nine such nurses. The data were analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results: The nurses who had left their workplace were worried about their work and interpersonal relationships at the workplace. Furthermore, despite having a “chronic desire to quit” their workplace, they worked more to “build a foundation for their career in nursing.” They made “the decision to leave the first workplace” 2-3 years after their graduation. Conclusions: The factors that hindered employment continuation were the junior nurses’ relationship as subordinates with senior nurses, the presence of the latter with whom they experienced difficulty working, and a lack of favorable experiences during collaborations with senior nurses. Junior nurses’ decision to resign was influenced by the following factors: awareness of their self-growth as a nurse, dissatisfaction with working hours, and discrepancy with the desired work environment. Workplace supervisors should recognize and respond to work and workplace relationship problems faced by nurses to coordinate relationship building efforts with senior nurses.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to elucidate the characteristics of support provided by visiting nurses to caregivers who live apart from the care recipient, focusing on caregivers who commute from a short distance to provide care. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews of thirteen visiting nurses with regard to the support for caregivers who live apart from the care recipient and commute from a short distance to provide care. The data obtained were analyzed based on the ethnographic method. Results: As support provided by visiting nurses to caregivers living apart from the care recipient, we extracted the following eight categories: “relationship-building from the start with limited contact,” “consistent support by related professionals through information sharing,” “support in times of emergency to bring peace of mind remotely,” “promoting decision-making for the future,” “advice to improve the coping ability of the individual caregiver living apart,” “involvement to prevent decline of the will to provide care,” “contact to fill the information gap,” and “support that prioritized the lifestyle of the caregiver living apart with multiple roles.” Conclusions: when the caregiver lives apart from the care recipient, we found support to be fundamental and which characteristics make said support efficient; thus, support that features such characteristics should be provided.

Objective: Although Japan and China share some commonalities, such as Chinese characters and Confucianism, there are differences in interpersonal behavior. Social skills can play a particularly important role in interpersonal relationships in cross-cultural settings. This study aimed to examine how social skills of Chinese nurses are correlated with their cross-cultural adjustment in the Japanese workplace. Methods: An exploratory quantitative study of 39 Chinese nurses was conducted to examine the correlation between cross-cultural adjustment and social skills in Japan. Data were dichotomized by average social skills and analyzed using Mann-Whitn U test. Results: Chinese nurses in Japan were divided into high- and low-social-skills groups based on their mean total score on the [Social Skills] scale. The high-social-skills group had significantly higher total scores on the [Three Dimensions of Cross-Cultural Adjustment] scale, [Sociocultural Adjustment] (p=.006), and [Self-Realization] (p=.012). Moreover, they were positively motivated to develop their expertise as nurses in Japan. Conclusions: Effective social skills training reflecting the characteristics of Japanese interpersonal behavior and cultural support is important in developing collaborative work environment between Japanese and Chinese nurses. Providing support programs for Chinese nurses in Japan may improve not only their career development but also the quality-of-care services performed by a team including Chinese nurses.

Objective: To investigate self-management difficulties experienced by late middle-aged and older adult patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: Data obtained from semi-structured interviews with hospitalized patients were qualitatively and inductively analyzed. Results: This study included 17 participants, comprising nine males and eight females. Self-management difficulties encountered in late middle-aged and older adult patients with chronic heart failure were categorized as “could not judge heart failure,” “could not feel the effects of self-management,” “could not incorporate self-management into daily life,” and “coped with heart failure in their own way.” Furthermore, nine categories were extracted, for example, “There is no joy or enjoyment in life due to painful thoughts,” “unable to adjust to work,” “unable to utilize social resources,” “I have no value for myself with heart failure,” and “many things were lost due to deterioration of heart function,” and others. Conclusions: The findings suggest that difficulties in self-management among late middle-aged and older adult patients with chronic heart failure require comprehensive support encompassing physical, mental, social, and spiritual aspects.

Objective: This study aimed to develop care strategies that can be incorporated into discharge planning for stroke patients in Japan by reviewing relevant foreign studies. Methods: We conducted web searches via PubMed using the keywords “discharge planning,” “stroke or cerebrovascular accident or cva,” “readmission or rehospitalization,” and “nurse,” and selected pertinent papers based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Results: Interventional studies on discharge planning for stroke patients have been conducted in various countries and regions. We included six papers and found that all these studies focused on the prevention of recurrent strokes. Discharge planning approaches specific to stroke patients included: education on preventing recurrent strokes, coordination of social resources, and assessment of caregivers. As an outcome of the discharge planning programs, readmission rates decreased, though the decrease was not statistically significant in most cases. Conclusions: To support stroke patients in communities, educating caregivers is vital for preventing recurrences. Additionally, as part of community-based support for these patients and their families, establishing appropriate channels of communication is essential.

Objective: This report aims to investigate the international activities and support required by members of the Japan Society of Nursing Research (JSNR) from the International Activities Promotion Committee. Methods: An online survey was conducted among 5,419 JSNR members between June and July 2022. The questionnaire contained items regarding international activities and the support required from the International Activities Promotion Committee in relation to English academic writing skills, collaborations, and interactions with overseas academic societies, financial support for conference participation, and financial support for submitting papers to English journals. Results: We received 211 responses (response rate: 3.9%). Academic writing was perceived by 81.2% of the respondents as the most significant support required from the International Activities Promotion Committee. A lack of confidence in English was the most common barrier to international activities among those who had not attended an international conference or submitted a paper in English in the past 10 years. Conclusions: English academic writing seminars and practical seminars for international activities should be conducted for JSNR members.

Objective: This literature review aimed to clarify the meaning of illness within the context of mental health. Methods: PubMed, CINAHL, CiNii, and Japan Medical Abstracts Society were used as the primary databases. Keywords included “patients with mental illness,” “mental illness,” “patient or patients,” “illness or disease,” “meaning or meaning-making,” and “meaning of illness.” The search contained original articles, clinical studies, and case reports, both in English and Japanese, including qualitative studies. The copyright has been considered in the case of citations, and the parts containing the meaning of mental illness chronologically were integrated. Results: Finally, five articles were retained and categorized into six themes: “The meaning of illness as an opportunity to recognize mental illness,” “The meaning of illness to investigate the cause of illness,” “The meaning of illness as an experience not to accept mental illness,” “The meaning of illness as a source of suffering,” “The meaning of illness for coexistence with people with the same illness,” and “Meaning of illness to accept mental illness and rebuild from there.” Conclusions: Medical staff tend to perceive illness as changes in biological structure or function. However, illness is a lived experience for patients with mental illness, and medical staff must realize it.