Pathways to Progress in Nursing: Understanding Career Patterns in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand

Abstract

Nursing’s recent progress in fostering better health around the world has been impressive. This progress is due, at least in part, to the higher levels of education nurses are receiving today. However, the goal of developing a stable nursing workforce remains elusive worldwide, due to career progression challenges related to nurse recruitment, education, retention, and promotion. This article provides an overview of existing career pathways in nursing in three Asian countries: Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand. For each country, a brief presentation of the development of nursing is followed by a review of admission requirements for education programs, and a description of available career pathways, including the routes and types of licensure for general and advanced nursing practice. The article concludes with a discussion of issues and challenges common to all three countries, specifically the identity of the nursing profession, limited faculty resources, English language barriers, transitioning of nursing education, and the provision of culturally competent care.