In 2018, the number of nursing universities increased to 263 schools in Japan. One out of three universities have a nursing school, and nursing universities continue to increase.
Japanese nursing education in universities is facing many problems some of which are, difficulties in providing enough facilities, maintenance of the education level, estrangement from bachelor education and nursing practices after graduation, and reinforcement of abilities of evidence-based nursing practices.
Therefore, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology introduced the "Model Core Curriculum for Nursing Education in Japan" (MCCNE) in 2017. MCCNE aims at the acquirement of necessary and indispensable nursing competencies in the undergraduate course, which enumerates learning targets to be useful for making the curriculum.
MCCNE has 7 areas to develop qualities and abilities of a nurse for a lifetime. A is basic qualities and abilities required of a nurse. B is society and nursing science. C is basic knowledge for understanding people they care for, includes pharmacological science. D is basic nursing practice skills. E is basic nursing abilities to work in different areas of health care. F is clinical training, and G is nursing research. Clinical training should be integrated all of the areas.
We expect activation of the nursing education through utilizing MCCNE in Japan.