Ward Chief Nurses' Perceptions and the Current Situation of Nurses' Career Development

目的：近畿，中国・四国地方の地域密着型病院の病棟看護師長のキャリアアップに対する認識と現状を明らかにする．方法：研究協力が得られた病棟看護師長187名に自記式質問紙調査を実施した．結果：101名（回収率54．0％）から回答が得られた．54名がスタッフに進学希望者がおり，それに対する思い・考えは【看護師個人の知識・スキルアップ・キャリアアップにつながる】【病棟・病院の看護の質向上が図れる】【病棟管理者としてスタッフの成長・キャリアアップを支援したい】の３つに分類された．支援はスタッフのキャリアプランの目標管理と学習への指導・助言，勤務調整・研修費などの体制支援を行っているが，スタッフのキャリアへの志向性が低い，人員不足・勤務業務調整が難しいなどの課題が明らかとなった．結論：病棟看護師長は，スタッフの成長と看護の質向上を期待し，キャリアアップへの課題に対する支援を模索していることが伺えた．Objective : To clarify the perceptions of ward chief nurses at community-based hospitals in the Kinki, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions, as well as the current situation regarding career development. Methods : We conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey of 187 ward chief nurses. Results : Responses were obtained from 101 chief nurses （response rate : 54.0%）. Of the respondents, 54 replied that their ward had staff members who desired more advanced education. Their thoughts/opinions about advanced education were classified as follows :［ it helps those nurses to advance their knowledge/skills/career］, ［it is helpful in improving the quality of nursing care in wards/hospitals］, and ［（they）, as ward managers, want to support staff members’ growth/career development］. Support provided to staff members included guidance/advice on goal management, learning for career development, and organizational support such as work shift adjustment and training fees. On the other hand, issues included staff members’ low career orientation, manpower shortages, and difficulties in work shift and duty adjustment. Conclusion : The ward chief nurses wanted to encourage staff members’ growth and qualitative improvements in nursing care and to explore support for career development issues