Nursing education, broadly defined, encompasses general and universal education related to nursing, serving as an activity shared by all humanity and applicable to various individuals. In a narrower sense, it specifically refers to education linked to nursing science, and can be broadly categorized into basic nursing education, continuing education post-qualification, and postgraduate education.

Within the narrower scope of nursing education, basic nursing education is legally based on the Act on Public Health Nurses, Midwives, and Nurses and is systematically organized to train nursing professionals. It includes institutions such as nursing colleges, nursing junior colleges, and vocational nursing schools. Continuing nursing education is a structured system of learning experiences built upon basic nursing education, targeting all licensed nursing professionals. It includes educational programs provided by national and local governments, professional nursing organizations, and healthcare facilities where nurses work. Postgraduate nursing education consists of degree-granting programs provided by graduate schools, aiming to enhance nursing practice and develop specialized competencies. Nursing graduate schools aim to train researchers and educators contributing to nursing via academic research, develop highly specialized professionals, and cultivate professionals capable of leadership in interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

Nursing professionals are expected to actively engage in educational opportunities and strive for continuous self-improvement in order to meet health needs and provide high-quality nursing care. Nursing education plays a crucial role in fulfilling these responsibilities, ensuring the quality of nursing care, and fostering the advancement of nursing as a discipline.

• Study Group on the Ideal Way to Develop Nursing Personnel at Universities. (2009, August 18). Study group on the ideal way to train nursing personnel at universities: First report.
  Retrieved from http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/shingi/chousa/koutou/40/toushin/1283190.htm
• Sugimori, M., & Funashima, N. (Eds.). (2009). Nursing education (4th ed.). Igaku-Shoin.
• Ujiie, S. (1991). Nursing MOOK 37: Nursing education. Kanehara Publishing.