ABSTRACT
Objective To learn the intention and demand of nurses of cancer hospitals to train abroad, so as to promote international exchange and management of nursing work. Methods Investigation was carried out by self-designed questionnaires among the nurses at the cancer hospital.The questionnaire covered the basic information of the nurses, the intention and demand of studying abroad, and information of those who have completed study abroad. The differences among different age groups were compared by descriptive statistics and χ2 test. Results Of the 700 people surveyed, 71.7% (502/700) of the nurses expect to study and train abroad.Their main purpose was to learn new nursing skills, new knowledge and nursing supervision methods.Nurses expect to study and train abroad for updating their concepts, promoting nursing skills, improving their command of a foreign language, and enhancing knowledge update ability. 54.9% (384/700)of the respondents were found with concerns for studying abroad.67.4% (33/49) of the respondents had the assessments after returning home. And 69.4% (34/49) of the respondents had more opportunities after their return. Conclusions It is important for nurses to study and train abroad.To this end, a gradient and hierarchical platform should be developed for nurses to go abroad for study under an institutionalized framework. It is also necessary to build an international communication platform and to establish a long-term evaluation and assessment mechanism.