[Institute of Global Nursing] International Nursing Research Seminar "Walking Together Towards the Future of Nursing: Collaboration and Learning Through Dialogue with EPA Nurses" will be held.

On March 11th, the 4th International Nursing Research Seminar, "Walking Together Towards the Future of Nursing: Collaboration and Learning Through Dialogue with EPA Nurses," was held at the Osaka Castle Campus.

More than 10 years have passed since the introduction of the EPA system in Japan, and EPA nurses from Indonesia, Vietnam, and other countries have become important partners in supporting the Japanese healthcare field. This seminar aims to deepen understanding of these EPA nurses, and we have invited EPA nurses who are actively working in clinical settings, as well as representatives from the facilities that accept them, as Lecturer.

First, Associate Professor Tomiko Toda of our university gave a clear explanation of the EPA system, the current state of the national examination, and the challenges involved. Next, Muhammad Rizki Yuniar, an EPA nurse from Indonesia, spoke about his career development over 12 years in Japan. Then, Kumi Takeda, Nursing Director of Kishiwada Heisei Hospital, one of the hospitals accepting the candidates, shared her experiences and the practical aspects of supporting the candidates. Furthermore, Hoang Thi Coani, an EPA nurse from Vietnam working at Sakai Heisei Hospital, spoke about her journey to becoming a nurse in Japan, and Nurse Manager Hitomi Jinnai shared the lessons and insights she gained from working with EPA nurses. The participants listened attentively to the candid and realistic stories from each speaker's perspective.

The event was held in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online participation, with a total of 25 attendees. A lively exchange of opinions took place during the Q&A session, with many positive comments such as, "It was good to hear frank opinions from those on the ground about the current situation and challenges faced by both EPA nurses and those receiving them," "It was helpful for both those providing support and those working alongside them in terms of how to interact with them," and "I think the experiences of foreign nurses working in Japan will be a great learning opportunity for students to objectively understand the strengths and challenges of Japanese nursing, and can be used as education to bring a new perspective to students' views on nursing."

This seminar is expected to serve as an opportunity to connect clinical practice and education both domestically and internationally, and to provide a platform for discovering new insights and research ideas from practical experience in the field.
Institute of Global Nursing will continue to contribute to the development of international nursing by valuing its role as a platform connecting clinical practice, education, and research through initiatives like these.

(Source: Institute of Global Nursing)