Objectives
  This paper describes the diverse experiences in facility training and daily life of foreign nurse candidates who came to Japan under the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Methods
  Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 EPA nurse candidates from Indonesia and the Philippines between 2008 and 2010. Inductive data analysis was performed using the Modified Grounded Theory Approach (M-GTA).
Results
  Two categories and 11 sub-categories were extracted regarding the working and training experiences of foreign nurse candidates in Japan. The analysis revealed that the candidates, who are registered nurses in their own countries, faced 《fluctuation in nurse identity》 during 〈Japanese nursing practice training〉 and while 〈comparing with practices in their countries〉 at host hospitals, not only because 〈the candidates are not eligible to work as nurses〉 but also because 〈the candidates are concerned about losing sufficient technical nursing skills〉. They were 〈motivated to complete training〉 but 〈faced difficulties in the new environment〉. They experienced 《difficulties in developing human relationships》 due to being 〈confused by the relationship with Japanese staff〉, as they 〈developed a trusting relationship with some staff〉 while also having to deal with 〈heartless attitudes from some Japanese staff〉. Moreover, they underwent a 〈long process to pass the national license examination〉 by counting on 〈individuals in charge of the EPA system〉. This study revealed diverse experiences of EPA nurse candidates and difficulties they faced, as well as their ways of overcoming hardships through personal networks.
Conclusions
  EPA nurse candidates are required to make every effort to overcome these issues to develop their self-dignity as a nurse candidate in Japan. It is urgently required that host hospitals promote awareness among Japanese staff regarding the needs of EPA nurse candidates, and support them through difficulties in their day-to-day lives. Moreover, sustainable support systems aimed at grasping the difficulties in a thorough and timely manner should be developed for EPA nurse candidates.