Inaugural Statement of the Radiological Nursing Society of Japan
Background
The history of radiological nursing in Japan begins with nurses who, placing themselves at risk, cared for the atomic bomb sufferers of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Since then, with the ever increasing medical use of radiation, radiological nursing has developed mainly in hospitals and clinics. Recent advance practice of radiation oncology nurse specialists symbolizes this development. Along with this specialization, we recognize the urgent need for widening the scope of radiological nursing practice. Japan has experienced serious accidents in the nuclear industry, namely, the nuclear fuel plant accident in 1999, and the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in 2011. These accidents demonstrate the necessity for radiological nursing to transform from the traditional model to a widener new model where nurses care for not only patients receiving radiation treatment but also for people living in accident prone communities, patients suffering radiation injuries, and radiation industry workers in daily as well as in emergency situations.
Aim
We hereby establish the Radiological Nursing Society of Japan. This society, with academic and clinical nurses working together, aims to increase knowledge and improve radiological nursing care across hospitals, clinics and communities.
Activities
The Radiological Nursing Society of Japan is engaged in the activities listed below.
(1)Organization of academic conventions
(2)Publication of the Journal of Radiological Nursing Society of Japan
(3)Support to promote exchanges between practitioners and researchers
(4)Coordination and exchange of information with various organizations in Japan and overseas involved in radiological nursing
(5)Promotion of research activities
(6)Representation of the views and opinions of the Radiological Nursing Society of Japan with regard to radiological nursing
(7)Proposal of policies
(8)Other business activities necessary for the growth of radiological nursing