Capacity development of nursing professionals for the next pandemic: Nursing education, on-the-job training, and networking.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the essential role of nursing professionals in infection control and patient care across various healthcare settings in Japan. Despite their dedication, the crisis exposed significant gaps in preparedness, training, and leadership development. This paper examines the challenges nurses and public health nurses faced during the pandemic and proposes a framework for strengthening capacity development to enhance future public health emergency responses. Fundamental infection control education must be systematically incorporated into basic nursing curricula, equipping nurses with essential skills such as proper use of personal protective equipment, zoning principles, and infection prevention strategies. Simulation-based training should complement theoretical instruction to ensure practical application. Continuous professional development through structured on-the-job training is crucial, particularly for smaller hospitals and elderly care facilities where infection control expertise remains limited. Public health nurses require specialized training in epidemiological investigations and outbreak management to coordinate community health responses effectively. Leadership in clinical settings and public health must be reinforced. The Infectious Disease Health Emergency Assistance Team (IHEAT) and supervisory public health nurses played key roles in the pandemic response. Still, challenges in rapid deployment and infrastructure readiness hindered their effectiveness. Strengthening managerial education and crisis response training will be critical to improving future outcomes. Additionally, networking and knowledge-sharing systems should be expanded to enhance communication and coordination. Mental health support for nursing professionals engaged in infection control must also be prioritized. This paper advocates a comprehensive approach to nursing education, training, and leadership development to fortify Japan's healthcare system against future pandemics.