[Development of the role of occupational health nursing in the U.S. and future perspectives in the U.S. and Japan].
Occupational Health Nursing in the United States has developed a solid foundation for a century, and is one of the pioneering countries which have the most advanced occupational health nursing practices in the world. The purpose of this study is, by reviewing the literature, 1) to overview the history of role development in occupational health nursing in the U.S., 2) to identify several factors affecting it, and 3) to discuss the occupational health nursing roles in the future on the U.S. as well as in Japan. There are three periods in the history of the role development of occupational health nursing in the U.S. I. 1890s-1920s: the Emergence of Occupational Health Nursing; Ada Mayo Stewart, the first occupational health nurse in the U.S., was employed by Vermont Marble Company in 1895, and worked as a clinician to provide the emergency care for work related injuries as well as working a primary nurse to visit the homes of the employees and their families for health education. II. 1930s-1950s: The Development of Standards of Nursing Practices; Occupational health nurses were committed to the early detection and prevention of work/non-work related diseases and illnesses as well as direct care. The American Association of Industrial Nurses (AAIN), the nationwide professional organization for the industrial nurses, was established in 1942. The AAIN developed standards of industrial nursing practices which formed the basis of the current standards of occupational health nursing practices; III. 1960s-: Occupational Health Nurses working as Nurse Specialists; Since the 1960s, many health hazards related to workplace exposure and working conditions had resulted in illness and injuries, and had become a social problems. The federal government legally obligated employers to promote workers' safety and health. Employers sought the services of occupational health nurses who has special knowledge and skills to improve health and safety in workplaces. In 1972, the AAIN started the program of the Certified Occupational Health Nurses. In the 1970s, several universities established the programs of occupational health nursing at the master level. With the impacts of these legal and social changes, the occupational health nurses have been evolving and developing advanced nursing practices. The current five basic roles of the occupational health nurses are: clinician, administrator, educator, consultant and researcher. In conclusion, the occupational health nurses in the U.S. started their practices as clinicians, and have been developing their advanced nursing practices which require professional knowledge and skills. As in the U.S., occupational health nurses in Japan should develop their roles as specialists in occupational safety and health.
Sato
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Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
D005544:Forecasting; D007564:Japan; D009785:Occupational Health Nursing / Q000639:trends*; D012380:Role; D014481:United States