An Ecological Panel Analysis of Trends in the Geographic Disparities of the Certified Nurse and Certified Nurse Specialist in Japan from 1996 to 2022.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Japan introduced a certification system for Advanced Practice Nursing Workforce (APNW) in 1996. The Japanese Nursing Association formally certified two types of the APNW: Certified Nurses (CNs) and Certified Nurse Specialists (CNSs). Little is known about the geographic distribution of CNs and CNSs. Methods: We conducted an ecological panel analysis using prefecture-level data from 1996 to 2022. To assess the degree of inequality of CN and CNS among prefectures, we calculated the Gini overall coefficients, as well as those by categories of CN and CNS, number of hospitals, number of hospital doctors, and hospital nurses. Using data available from 2000 to 2017, we examined factors associated with CN and CNS density through fixed-effects panel data analyse

SUBMITTER: Morioka N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12844417 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature