Abstract
Objective : The purpose of this paper is to clarify how and why public health nurses in private practice started a business and to evaluate their current business activities. Methods : We conducted semi-structured interviews with 9 public health nurses regarding their motivation for starting a business, their preparation for doing it, and their current business activities. The contents of interviews were analyzed descriptively and qualitatively. Results : 19 secondary categories and 8 primary categories related to business activities were extracted from verbatim transcripts of interviews. Primary categories were classified into three stages: "the situation in which an organization fails to provide service appropriate to each user," "the way of working that lets an owner make use of his/her strength," and "own mission as a public health nurse" (the first stage) ; "the acquisition of skills needed to run a business," and "the formulation of a business plan that offers one's own distinct service" (the second stage) ; "the emergence and expansion of new health service in private practice," and "the service of a public health nurse having ramifications on health promotion" (the third stage) ; and "the existence of a person who supports me" (all stages). Conclusions : Public health nurses in private practice started their own business in order to resolve problems arising from working for an organization. They made efforts to acquire skills necessary for running a business. Our analysis suggests that public health nurses in private practice would help meet diversified health needs.
