Background: Japan is getting older and older. More than 26% of the population is 65 years or over. Therefore,\nthe needs and quality of geriatric nursing should be improved. At the same time, the standards and requirements in\ngeriatric intermediate care facilities (GIFs) are also changing. However, the quality of geriatric care in Japan is\nnot in a satisfied level. In order to improve the quality of geriatric nursing, reconsidering professionalism in nurses\nis crucial. Moreover, it is important to address appropriate working environment of nurses to develop, maintain\nand enhance their professionalism.\nObjectives: The aim of this study was to obtain insights to the professionalism of nurses in geriatric intermediate\ncare facilities from the perspectives and experiences of geriatric care.\nMethodology: A qualitative exploratory descriptive research design was used in this study. The study participants\nwere three clinical nurse specialists of geriatric nursing and five nurse managers from geriatric care facilities. A\npurposive sampling was used.\nResults: Five descriptive themes related to the professionalism of nurses in geriatric care facilities were identified:\nautonomy, comprehensive care, patient advocacy, educational activities, and work with other specialists.\nConclusions: Professionalism identified in this study is similar to that of clinical nurses that was reported\nprevious studies. However, some sub-categories indicate the characteristics of geriatric care facilities, such as\ndecision making when a physician is absent, which is included in autonomy, and the life model, which is included\ncomprehensive care.
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