Taking leave from work: the impact of culture on Japanese female nurses.
OBJECTIVE
This paper provides an overview of nurses' working conditions in Japan, exploring tensions between nurses' rights to take leave from work to fulfil family and personal needs and their actual ability to take such leave. It also considers possible effects of being restricted from taking such leave.


BACKGROUND
Little has been written on the specific needs of nurses who are mothers in the Japanese work environment. Research has focussed on the effects of heavy, stressful workloads and long working hours leading to burnout, death from overwork and suicides in Japanese culture. However, research that considers unique cultural and female issues in Japan affecting nursing work has not been published.


METHODS
Discursive.


CONCLUSIONS
The paper shows that there are many overlapping, complex issues affecting nurses working in Japan and their needs need to be considered and addressed in order to promote a healthier work environment, as well as a more humanistic environment.


CONCLUSIONS
Workplace issues are relevant to recruitment and retention and better conditions are likely to improve hospital functioning.
Mizuno-Lewis
Satomi
S
School of Nursing and Midwifery and Research Centre for Clinical Practice Innovation, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, Queensland, Australia. satomiml63@yahoo.co.jp
McAllister
Margaret
M
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel / Q000208:ethnology*; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002322:Career Mobility; D003220:Conflict, Psychological; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D017407:Family Leave; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D016272:Occupational Health; D010558:Personnel Loyalty; D012945:Social Values / Q000208:ethnology; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology; D014931:Women, Working / Q000523:psychology*; D016526:Workload / Q000523:psychology; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology