Prevalence and retention status of new graduate nurses with special support needs in Japan

Abstract Early resignation of new graduate nurses is a global concern. Tendencies of developmental disorders or special support needs may contribute to the early resignation. A national mail survey about new graduate nurses with special support needs was conducted in Japan in 2013. A modified battery developed for a national survey of school children with special educational needs was used. The questionnaire was completed by the nurse managers of the participating hospitals who supervised the nurses. Among the 500 hospitals invited to participate in the survey, 141 hospitals responded. Sixty-six nurses were identified as having special support needs among the 2,761 nurses who were newly employed at 128 hospitals with 300 or more beds, which comprises 2.39% of the total. The most prevalent need was “social interaction/restricted interest” followed by “inattentiveness.” Of these, 40.9% of the nurses left their initial hospital jobs within one year. The need for an individualized support program specific to nurses’ needs is implied. Further research studies are warranted to prospectively identify nurses with special support needs and explore their experiences as working nurses.