Exploring career anchors among occupational health nurses in Japan: A qualitative study.
AIM
This study examined the career anchor characteristics that are possessed by Japanese occupational health nurses.


METHOD
Sixteen occupational health nurses participated in the semistructured interview. Data analyses were conducted using descriptive qualitative methods.


RESULTS
The data showed the following five categories: practices concerning relationships and positions; development of occupational health practices; management skills for effective work; practices that are approved inside and outside the organization; and work and private life considerations.


CONCLUSIONS
This study described the career anchors among occupational health nurses in Japan. The participants emphasized the following: the importance of maintaining good cooperative relationships with workers and supervisors; balancing professional and organized labor; and practicing effective occupational health services. Moreover, the occupational health nurses emphasized receiving approval from inside and outside of the organization. These results were consistent with the actual practices of occupational health nursing.
['Kubo|Yoshiko|Y|http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3973-8016', 'Hatono|Yoko|Y|', 'Kubo|Tomohide|T|', 'Shimamoto|Satoko|S|', 'Nakatani|Junko|J|', 'Burgel|Barbara J|BJ|']
D000328:Adult D002321:Career Choice D006801:Humans D007564:Japan D008875:Middle Aged D009740:Nursing Staff D016272:Occupational Health D036301:Qualitative Research
career anchor occupational health nurse career development career orientation qualitative descriptive study