Characteristics associated with career self-reliance behaviors of nurses working in nursing homes in Japan: A cross-sectional study
Original Research Article

Characteristics associated with career self-reliance behaviors of nurses working in nursing homes in Japan: A cross-sectional study

Original Research Article
Categories: Nursing Administration, Management, and Leadership, Nursing Education, Gerontology Nursing (Aging & the Older People), Public Health and Community Nursing
https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.3665
Ayako Nakayama
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine Department of Integrated Health Sciences Course in Nursing, Doctoral Program, 1-1-20 Daiko-Minami, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, 461-8673, Japan
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1486-041X
Junko Hoshino
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Daiko-Minami, Higashi-ku, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture, 461-8673, Japan
Masashi Hotta
Gifu College of Nursing, Egira-cho, Hashima City, Gifu Prefecture, 501-6295, Japan
Mayuri Hashimoto
Gifu College of Nursing, Egira-cho, Hashima City, Gifu Prefecture, 501-6295, Japan
Naomi Furukawa
Gifu College of Nursing, Egira-cho, Hashima City, Gifu Prefecture, 501-6295, Japan
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Keywords

career
competence
nurse
nursing home
nursing practice

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Nakayama, A., Hoshino, J., Hotta, M., Hashimoto, M., & Furukawa, N. Characteristics associated with career self-reliance behaviors of nurses working in nursing homes in Japan: A cross-sectional study. Belitung Nursing Journal, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.3665
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Abstract

Background: With an aging global population, establishing integrated systems for long-term care is challenging in several countries. Adequate and quality service for older adults in nursing homes can improve their quality of life. The career self-reliance of nurses working in nursing homes may affect the quality of life of older adults; this suggests a need for educational support for career self-reliance behavior. 

Objective: Our study aimed to identify characteristics associated with the career self-reliance behaviors of nurses working in nursing homes.

Methods: Data were collected from nurses working in 789 nursing homes in Japan using questionnaires in 2018. The questionnaire consisted of the Scale of Career Self-Reliance Attitude, Career Self-Reliance Behavior to measure the degree of nurses’ career self-reliance, questions about personal attributes, work environment, and work commitment; and the Clinical Nursing Competence Self-Assessment Scale. A multiple regression analysis was conducted using career self-reliance as the dependent variable and characteristics as the independent variables.

Results: Consequently, a total of 336 questionnaires were collected, of which 289 without missing data were analyzed. Of the 289 participants, 79 (27.3%) had certifications or licenses other than those for nursing or had completed graduate school. As a result of multiple regression analysis, a higher frequency of nursing practice (β = 0.38, p <0.001) was associated with career self-reliance attitudes. Having certifications or licenses other than those for nursing or completing graduate school (β = 0.11, p = 0.03), job satisfaction as a nurse (β = 0.12, p = 0.03), higher frequency of nursing practice (β = 0.28, p <0.001), and a higher degree of career self-reliance attitude (β = 0.45, p <0.001) were associated with career self-reliance behavior. Relationships with supervisors or colleagues were not associated with career self-reliance.

Conclusion: It is important for nurses working in nursing homes to enrich their nursing practice, continue learning, and be satisfied with their jobs to improve their career self-reliance. Nurses and administrators working in nursing homes should make efforts to obtain these characteristics for nurses’ career self-reliance behaviors. Particularly, maintaining nursing practice frequency is essential for improving the quality of life of older adults through nurses’ career self-reliance.

https://doi.org/10.33546/bnj.3665
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Supporting Agencies

This study was funded by JSPS KAKENHI, Japan (Grant number: JP15K11554). Recipient: Junko Hoshino.

Copyright

Copyright (c) 2025 Ayako Nakayama, Junko Hoshino, Masashi Hotta, Mayuri Hashimoto, Naomi Furukawa

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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