Background: Radiation dermatitis (RD) is likely to arise in the patient who underwent radiotherapy. This study aims to survey the frequency of radiation dermatitis, and to evaluate current nursing conducted by certified nurses in radiation therapy nursing (CN) tackling RD.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire survey was carried out for 223 CNs. The questionnaire included personal attributes, the character of medical facilities (MF), the frequency of RD and qualities of the related care to a patient.

Results: The frequency of RD varied by irradiation site with 29% of MF reporting a frequency of Grade 2 or higher in the head and neck sites of 50% or more. Irradiated skin observation was conducted by CNs in 98% of MF before occurrence of RD and 100% at the time of occurrence of RD, which was the most common among the medical profession. However, only 79% of MF had follow-up by CNs after the completion of radiotherapy, which was influenced by whether or not CNs collaborated with radiologists after radiotherapy was completed.

Conclusions: This study suggested that CNs could play a more important role of CN in dermatitis care for patients suffering RD by collaborating with other professionals and nurses.

We created a new radiation protection learning method for nurses and studied the educational effects. We made a four-beds in one room and measured the scattered radiation caused by X-ray photography of the chest and abdomen of the phantom in this room. We created a distribution map of scattered radiation with measured values. Projection mapping was successfully applied for the scattered radiation distribution map. We held a workshop using projection mapping for nursing students. In the workshop, nursing students were able to visually observe the distribution of scattered radiation. Nursing students who participated in this workshop were able to gain knowledge about not only radiation and radiation exposure, but also avoiding radiation exposure and maintaining an appropriate distance that a patient did not worry. In addition, this workshop increased nursing students’ motivation to learn about radiation. Therefore, we considered the workshop using projection mapping to be effective for nursing students’ radiation protection education.