Graduate School of Human Nursing

The Graduate School of Human Nursing fosters nursing professionals with advanced knowledge and skills and high ethical standards who can contribute to people's health and wellbeing. Upon successful completion of all required credits with the submission of a master's thesis, students will receive a master's degree in nursing. We offer the following four programs:

1. Research Program for Fundamental Nursing Science

Students explore and develop research on the theoretical evaluation of nursing phenomena, the pursuit of evidence-based nursing skills, and the methods of nursing interventions based on empirical and developmental approaches.

2. Research Program for Lifelong Health Nursing

Students explore and develop research on health maintenance and support for women and families, including mothers and children; on the health promotion of the diseased and their families during stages of childhood, adulthood, and older adulthood; and on the development of innovative nursing systems facilitating support provision during periods of continued medical treatment or recuperation.

3. Advanced Practice Nursing Program (Certified Nurse Specialist Program)

Five years of clinical experience is a prerequisite (three years should be either in chronic disease management or home-health nursing) for admission to this program. On completion of the program, by going through six months of practical training, students become eligible candidates for the annual formal qualification review for certified nurse specialists. We offer the following two programs:

Chronic Care Nursing:

This program is for advanced nursing specialists with the ability to provide comprehensive support to meet the diverse needs of chronically ill people to ensure health management while living normal lives.

Home Care Nursing:

This program fosters competencies focusing on advanced nursing practice skills to understand the needs and realities of patients and families who require home-based care, to respect their fundamental human rights, and to contribute to the promotion of their quality of life.

4. Midwifery Program

This program is intended for those who have completed RN education. Students explore and develop evidence-based competencies for the reproductive health and rights of diverse people. Particularly, they acquire knowledge and skills to support women during pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period, and newborns, infants, and their families. In practicum, they assist childbirth to acquire midwifery skills, the exclusive practice of midwives. Successful graduates are qualified to take the national midwife examination.

Shiga Regional Community Research Center for Nursing Practice

Shiga Regional Community Research Center for Nursing Practice is a place to exchange and explore ideas for those in the nursing field within Shiga Prefecture, aiming to promote high-quality nursing. The center can provide training and lectures, such as literature search and review, based on current topics in the nursing field, especially for those working as nurses with limited research opportunities. The center is also open to collaborative research projects with local nursing professionals.