2025 Volume 14 Issue 2 Pages 25-34
Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the process by which public health nurses in supervisory positions perform their roles, and the factors that affect their activities.
Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven public health nurses in supervisory positions in prefecture A. The analysis was guided by trajectory equifinality modeling.
Results: The trajectories were divided into four stages: “having an image of a public health nurse in a supervisory position”, “managing tasks while following the path laid by predecessors”, “managing staff”, and “managing organization”. In addition, three categories were derived: Type I: progress, Type II: impasse, and Type III: loss. Social guidance (facilitating factors) includes a clear delineation of duties: an environment where responsibilities are not borne alone, understanding from superiors, including the head of the local government, and repeated self-reflection. Social direction (hindering factors) included unclear delineation of duties and differences in ideas with the administrative staff.
Consideration: Collaborative experience with one’s predecessor before becoming a public health nurse in a supervisory position is important. The need to improve these environments and the importance of providing support are suggested for public health nurses in supervisory positions to fulfill their roles.
