2023 Volume 24 Issue 1 Pages 63-75
Objective: To describe the experiences of female hospital nurses who continue to work during pregnancy without any major problems.
Method: Secondary analysis was performed on the data collected in the first stage of the “Hierarchical models of individual and workplace traits affecting pregnancy and childbirth among Japanese hospital nurses,” (Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) 15K11569) study from 2015 to 2017. Interview data from 10 out of 28 participants, who had continued to work during pregnancy without any major problems, were used for narrative analysis.
Results: Prior to pregnancy, the research participants loved the nursing profession, felt no hesitation about having children and believed that they could continue to work by referring to their mothers and colleagues as role models. During pregnancy, the nurses practiced their duties at their own pace while consulting with their superiors and colleagues within an atmosphere of mutual respect for pregnancy in the workplace.
Conclusions: The research participants understood the changes occurring in their own bodies and believed themselves capable of practicing their duties while proactively coordinating work-related matters such as scheduling, break time, and work duties with their colleagues. Furthermore, the workplace atmosphere of acceptance, and understanding of pregnancy and childbirth from their superiors and colleagues seemed to allow the nurses to demonstrate their abilities without detriment to the nursing profession.
