天美传媒

It was the program鈥檚 core research curriculum and the student:faculty ratio that attracted Keiko Iwama to Adelphi. Originally from Japan, where she earned degrees in social work and nursing, Iwama came to the United States to experience a more independent nursing environment.

鈥淏eing a nurse in the United States is totally different compared to Japan,鈥� said Iwama, currently a registered nurse within a cardiac surgery intensive care unit. Whereas nurses in Japan can only discuss patient care and treatment with a doctor, U.S. nurses can be key decision makers. 鈥淚t鈥檚 more nursing independent work and requires more clinical judgment and reasoning skills,鈥� she said.

鈥淎s a practicing critical care R.N., Iwama possesses a wealth of experience regarding the complexities of nursing practice,鈥� said Maryann Forbes, Ph.D. 鈥�99, who plays a crucial role in shaping Iwama鈥檚 judgment as her mentor. 鈥淎n inquisitive mind, high level of motivation, excellent writing skills and good time management will continue to be assets for Iwama as she moves into the next phase of conducting her research.鈥�

Independence in nursing care is central to the mission behind Iwama鈥檚 dissertation topic: to improve preceptor work for a nursing graduate鈥檚 transition from the academic world to nursing practice. 鈥淭here is a huge gap between nursing education at school and nursing practice,鈥� Iwama said, noting again the decision-making power U.S. nurses have in hospitals. 鈥淓xperienced preceptors are the key to facilitating critical thinking, clinical reasoning and good clinical judgment in new graduate nurses. Although expert nurses can become preceptors, they are not necessarily expert preceptors.鈥�

Following graduation, Iwama hopes to use her stateside nursing experience, her and her completed dissertation to inspire change in Japan.