Current Status and Implementation Challenges of Electronic Clinical Nursing Records for Students

This study examined the current status and implementation challenges of electronic clinical nursing records among nursing students in Japan. A survey of 400 nurses at clinical training facilities established that only 42.3% (n=169) of the facilities permitted nursing students to use digital devices during clinical training. Significant variations were observed across healthcare settings, with general hospitals comprising the largest group (52.1%) that allowed digital device use. Most facilities permit only offline entry of clinical records and self-learning materials, thus indicating a cautious approach to digitalization. Wi-Fi usage policies varied considerably; 24.3% of facilities prohibited Wi-Fi entirely, while 43.2% permitted usage under specific conditions. The primary implementation challenges were related to information security concerns, although opportunities exist for phased implementation approaches beginning with offline applications. The gap between digitally prepared nursing students from the GIGA School Initiative era and current clinical environments highlights the urgent need for strategic planning to advance digitalization. To better prepare future nursing professionals for increasingly digitalized healthcare environments, this research provides foundational data for developing effective implementation strategies, including security guidelines, digital literacy enhancement for clinical nurses, and strengthened collaboration between educational institutions and clinical facilities.