The potential of a nursing education support system using videoconferencing

Japan currently employs a total of 400,000 practical nurses, accounting for approximately 40% of the total number of nurses in the country. An educati on system for improving the skills of practical nurses and encouraging them to obtain certification as registered nurses is due to begin in 2001. In H okkaido, 90 nursing schools are scheduled to be used as transitional educat ion facilities. These, however, tend to be concentrated in large cities. We have examined the possibilities for an education support system for nurses using videoconferencing. The system will include theoretical lectures usin g television broadcasts and technical lectures conducted at training facili ties. Given Hokkaido's geographical conditions, a support system using tele communication is considered to be essential for the success of transitional education.