Establishing nephrology nursing specialization in Japan: a matter of urgency

This paper explores the current situation regarding the provision of renal services to patients with end-stage renal disease in Japan. The statistical data reveal that Japan is in a predicament regarding the current rate of incidence of end-stage renal disease in the population. The discussion highlights the fact that nephrology nursing practice is as yet not recognised as a speciality in its own right in Japan. Therefore Japanese nurses who work in the field of nephrology are still struggling to establish their own professional identity and to improve the professional level of their practice. This situation persists in Japan despite support from the literature, which confirms that appropriately qualified nephrology nurses are well equipped to provide specialised care. The recent decision by the Japanese Association of Nephrology Nurses is to establish the position of the specialised dialysis nurse, which does not cover the area of kidney transplantation and will start in 2004. It is expected that it will be an important challenge to improve professional skills and nephrology nursing status in Japan.