ABSTRACT
Introduction: This study aimed to clarify the stress experienced by nurses working at hospitals in Japan through the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).Methods: A questionnaire survey that included a brief job stress questionnaire and sense of coherence (SOC) scale was administered to EPA nurses and nursing candidates.Results: Seventy-two nurses and nursing candidates responded to the survey. Overall, 79.2% of them felt confused about the differences between work in Japan and in their home country and they experienced qualitative and physical burdens as a result of their job. Female respondents rated the "suitability of the job" as relatively low, whereas male respondents rated the "degree of utilization of skills" as relatively low. Both male and female respondents received strong support from their families and friends. A correlation analysis of the data regarding female respondents indicated that occupational stress was related to how accustomed they had become to life in Japan, their Japanese language ability, quantitative burden of the job, workplace environment, and SOC.Conclusions: The study results suggested that considerations of the burden of the job, workplace environment, and improvement in SOC should be required from workplaces that accept EPA nurses.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>Objectives</b></p><p> The purpose of this research is to reveal the organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) of Indonesian nurse candidates at hospitals in Japan.</p><p><b>Methods</b></p><p> Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 13 nurses that worked at hospitals in Japan. The results were analyzed using coded categorization.</p><p><b>Results</b></p><p> All respondents have OCB in their work place in Japanese hospitals.The research focuses on specific OCB roles and the data was classified into the following 4 categories. (1) nursing care support for other nurses, (2) work place hygiene, (3) preparation for work duties, and (4) maintenance of medical equipment. In addition, in Indonesia the respondents have roles such as “preparation for work duties other than nursing” and “education of other nurses”.</p><p><b>Conclusions</b></p><p> The paper concludes that Indonesian nurse candidates have the same OCB in their work place as Japanese nurses. However, the scope of their OCB in Japanese hospitals is limited because they cannot work as registered nurses in Japan. The findings suggest that in order to improve and expand the OCB of Indonesian nurses working in Japanese hospitals, it is necessary to not only allow them to work as registered nurses but also to ensure that they continue to work in the same employment conditions as Japanese nurses. </p>