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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 11, No. 12
Publication Date: December 25, 2024
DOI:10.14738/assrj.1112.18093.
Kang, S.-W. (2024). Expectations of Korean Nursing Students Regarding the Enactment of Nursing Law. Advances in Social Sciences
Research Journal, 11(12). 301-304.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Expectations of Korean Nursing Students Regarding the
Enactment of Nursing Law
Se-Won Kang
ABSTRACT
This descriptive survey aimed to determine Korean nursing students' expectations
regarding enacting the nursing law. The participants were 150 nursing students.
Data were collected from October 1 to October 15, 2024. The average score for
expectations and perceptions regarding the enactment of nursing law was 4.42
points (out of 5 points). The item with the highest score was: 'The roles and scope
of work of specialized nurses in each field will be clearer, which will help establish
a specialized nurse system." The Korean Nursing Law has taken its initial steps.
However, further discussion and development are necessary to safeguard nurses'
rights and ensure patient safety.
Keywords: nursing, law, expectation.
INTRODUCTION
The Republic of Korea affirms the people's right to health in Article 36, Paragraph 3 of the
Constitution. It has established the Medical law and other health and medical-related laws and
regulations to outline specific provisions [1]. Specifying the responsibilities, authority, duties,
and scope of work for medical professionals within systematic health and medical legislation is
essential to safeguarding the health of the people who are the recipients of medical care.
Recognizing this necessity, the Korean Nurses Association initiated efforts to enact a nursing- only law and formalized these activities in 2003[2].
Approximately 80 countries have enacted and implemented nursing laws as standalone laws.
Further, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) proposes a standard Nursing law for each
country. Additionally, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that nursing law should
include a definition of nursing, purpose, nursing field, roles and actions of nursing personnel,
education level, quality level of educational institutions, and education for quality nursing
services [3].
Discussions on enacting the Nursing law in Korea have been intermittent since the early 2000s.
Nonetheless, full-scale legislation began in the mid-2010s. Meanwhile, the nursing law was
repeatedly proposed and abolished by the National Assembly, and its passage was frustrated
by conflicts with the medical profession [4]. However, as nurses' dedication was re-examined
owing to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the social demand for enacting the Nursing
law grew even more potent. Additionally, as the role of nurses became more critical because of
the aging population and the increase in chronic diseases, the need to enact the Nursing law
gradually gained consensus [5]. Finally, discussions on Korean Nursing laws were not fully
enacted until 2024. The nursing law was enacted on September 20, 2024, and is scheduled to
go into effect on June 21, 2025.
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 11, Issue 12, December-2024
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
The Korean Nurses Association states that the nursing law has established a legal foundation
for training skilled nurses and protecting people's health in preparation for a super-aging
society. They emphasized that nursing law protects people's health and patients' stability and
explained that it is a law for the entire nation that is beyond the interests of nurses [6].
This study aimed to investigate the expectations of nursing law by nursing students who will
play the role of prospective nurses under the law enacted in 2024. It aimed to provide basic
data that can reflect the needs of nursing communities in implementing nursing laws.
METHODS
Study Design
This descriptive study aimed to determine Korean nursing students' expectations regarding the
enactment of the nursing law.
Participants and Data Collection
The participants were 150 nursing students. Data were collected from October 1 to October 15,
2024. The questionnaire used a structured questionnaire. In upholding ethical standards, the
study's purpose and methodology were explained to participants before distributing the
questionnaire. The study was conducted exclusively with individuals who voluntarily agreed to
participate and provided written consent.
Survey and Analysis Contents
The survey comprised nine questions, including eight objective and one subjective question
regarding the perception of the enactment of nursing law. Eight questions were measured on a
five-point Likert scale, with five points for "very much so" and 1 point for "not at all." One
question required participants to subjectively describe "what needs to be revised or
supplemented in the enacted nursing law." The collected data were analyzed for mean and
standard deviation, while the descriptive responses were evaluated using content analysis.
RESULT
Nursing Students' Expectations Regarding the Enactment of The Nursing Law
Expectations for enacting the nursing law were high, with an average score of 4.42±1.102 (out
of 5). The item with the highest expectation was "The enactment of the Nursing law will help to
establish the specialized nurse system by clarifying the roles and scope of work of specialized
nurses in each field" (Table 1).
Table 1: Nursing students' expectations regarding the enactment of the nursing law
문항 Mean ± SD
1 It is expected that the enactment of the Nursing law will protect patients and nurses
by establishing the roles and scope of work of nurses by law.
4.33±1.202
2 It is expected that enacting the Nursing law will help establish the specialized
nursing system by clarifying the roles and scope of work of specialized nurses in
each field.
4.58±1.147
3 It is expected that the quality of nursing will improve with the enactment of the
Nursing law.
4.41±1.072
4 The scope of nursing is expected to become clearer with the enactment of the
Nursing law.
4.39±1.105
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Kang, S.-W. (2024). Expectations of Korean Nursing Students Regarding the Enactment of Nursing Law. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal,
11(12). 301-304.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.1112.18093
5 It is expected that the enactment of the Nursing law will bring about changes in
nurses' working environment.
4.37±1.149
6 It is expected that the status of nursing will be elevated with the enactment of the
Nursing law.
4.35±1.107
7 It is expected that nursing will advance as a result of the enactment of the Nursing
law.
4.45±1.270
8 Some parts of the current Nursing law need to be revised or supplemented. 4.45±1.202
Total 4.42±1.102
Contents to be Revised or Supplemented in The Enacted Nursing Law
In the Nursing law, as addressed in subjective questions, the most frequently mentioned areas
for revision and supplementation included clarifying the "demarcation line between doctors
and nurses." Additionally, respondents suggested the need for legal improvements in areas
such as "legislation on the nurse-to-patient ratio" and "enhancement of the work environment."
DISCUSSION
In Korea, the Nursing law has been discussed for a long time, but it was not fully enacted until
2024 because of conflicts between professional nurses and political debates. This study
investigated nursing students' expectations of the Nursing law.
Based on this study, the item with the highest level of expectation was "The enactment of the
Nursing law will help to establish the professional nurse system by clarifying the roles and
scope of work of professional nurses by field." One of the main contents of the Korean Nursing
law, enacted in 2024, stipulates the qualification requirements and rights of nurses. In
particular, it strengthens the qualification standards for professional nurses [7]. This section
was shown to have high expectations regarding the enactment of the Nursing law among
nursing students.
Additionally, the analysis results of subjective questions showed that the most necessary part
for revision and supplementation in the Nursing law enacted in 2024 was "clarification of the
boundaries between doctors and nurses." The main controversy surrounding enacting the
Nursing law in Korea stems from conflicts among professional nurses. The Korean Medical
Association argued that the Nursing law could create confusion by separating the medical
system [8]. In contrast, the Korean Nurses Association maintained that the law clearly defines
nurses' duties and establishes a legal foundation for delivering improved medical services to
the public. Even after implementing the Nursing law in 2025, conflicts within the medical
community will likely continue. Moreover, the debate over the boundaries of duties between
doctors and nurses remains a task that needs to be resolved [9].
The enactment of the Nursing law in 2024 in Korea was the first step toward protecting nurses'
legal status and rights. In increasing the effectiveness of the law, specific content such as the
legalization of the number of patients per nurse, standards for deploying nurses in rural and
fishing villages, and the expansion of community nursing services should also be reflected [10].
In the future, legal supplementation and cooperation between medical professionals will be
necessary to realize the Nursing law's purpose, protect nurses' rights and interests, and
enhance their professionalism.