The History of the JSPCUN

The Japan Society of Private Colleges and Universities of Nursing (JSPCUN), originally known as the Japan Society of Private Nursing Colleges and Universities, was established on August 2nd, 1976 at its inaugural meeting after honorary president Hinohara Shigeaki had personally called the presidents of nursing universities and colleges in Japan to hold a preparatory meeting for the organization on July 13th of the same year. Official activities began with 11 member schools (2 universities and 9 colleges).

Its founding mission was defined as follows: “We recognize the important role of private universities and colleges in nursing education. Through collaboration and cooperation between universities and colleges, we will contribute to the development of nursing education to fulfill our mission as an institution for higher nursing education in Japan.”

The Society renamed itself the Japan Society of Private Colleges and Universities of Nursing in 1998, and in 2009, the newly renamed JSPCUN became a general incorporated association. In its articles of incorporation, the JSPCUN defined its purpose as follows: “As an institution for nursing　education and nursing research in Japan, we recognize the important role of private universities and colleges of nursing. Through collaboration and cooperation between the　member schools in education, research, and management which promote the development　of each member school and eventually contribute he development of nursing education and research in Japan .

Since the demands of nursing education are required modification according to the advance of society and medicine, the private colleges and universities of nursing faced the issues how to integrate the demand of nursing into the education.

the　JSPCUN supported the universities and colleges by the committee-based activities to respond the demand.

Past activities include: various studies, nursing refresher courses for lifelong learning, various seminars to improve the quality of education and research, research grants, submittion of opinions to the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare regarding the questions of the national nursing examination, and submittion of opinions to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology regarding the proposed Model Core Curriculum.

After years of continuous service to the nursing g academic community, the JSPCUN celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016.

In fiscal year 2019, the JSPCUN consists of 193 member schools (182 universities and 11 colleges). The private universities of nursing currently comprise 66.1% of all universities of nursing in Japan. We believe that JSPCUN will engage activities in pursuit of its mission and surely make great contributions to the advancement of Japanese universities of nursing in Japan.