2023 Volume 60 Issue 1 Pages 2-12
The labour market of nurses in Japan was opened overseas in 2008 through the Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). However, the research on the human resources management (HRM) of foreign nurses in Japan is limited. Moreover, Japanese evidence regarding the perspectives of the effective HRM of foreign nurses from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Therefore, this study investigates the development policy, education, and support for them in the host hospitals to enable the utilisation of EPA nurses as a valuable human resource. This study applied a qualitative descriptive approach. Seven nurse managers were chosen based on a purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data. Each interview was recorded and transcribed, after which it was analysed using the qualitative content analysis method. Four themes were extracted as the considerations regarding HRM for EPA nurses: “Clarification of career path”, “Language barrier”, “Career reconstruction support in Japan”, “Comprehensive support and Organizational culture”. Regarding the HRM of EPA nurses, managers should consider individual cultural backgrounds, expectations, and essential needs for their career development as well as their ability. Suggestions for practice are preparation of guidelines with goals considered from the viewpoint of career development of EPA nurses, educational support for improving their Japanese proficiency in clinical setting, and shape organizational culture that accepts diversity.
