ABSTRACT
In November 1946, the three government-controlled nursing associations, which had been in existence for controlling midwives, nurses, and public health nurses, were dissolved. The concept of public health nursing was given new emphasis in 1947, when courses for public health nurses were established at the Institute of Public Health. On 3 July 1948, the Diet incorporated this ordinance into new law, which provided the necessary permanent legislation to maintain and control nursing standards and education. In addition, it provided that clinical nursing courses would be of three years' duration and that public health nursing and midwifery programs would be on a post-graduate level after graduation from the three-year clinical course, to ensure that such nurses had a sound background in nursing. Hospital directors and doctors have been trained to accept the new nursing program and have come to recognize the nurse as an integral part of the hospital staff.
