title: A model of adaptation of overseas nurses: exploring the experiences of Japanese nurses working in Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of the study was to investigate the experiences of Japanese nurses and their adaptation to their work environment in Australia. Using a qualitative research method and semistructured interviews, the study aimed to discover, describe, and analyze the experiences of 14 Japanese nurses participating in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fourteen Japanese registered nurses working in Australian hospitals participated in the study. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted from April to June in 2008. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes within the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of qualitative open-ended questions revealed the participants' adaptation process. It consists of three themes or phases: seeking (S), acclimatizing (A), and settling (S), subsequently named the S.A.S. model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conceptual model of the adaptation processes of 14 Japanese nurses working in Australia includes the seeking, acclimatizing, and settling phases. Although these phases are not mutually exclusive and the process is not necessarily uniformly linear, all participants in this study passed through this S.A.S. model in order to adapt to their new environment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The S.A.S. model of adaptation helps to describe the experiences of Japanese overseas qualified nurses working in Australian hospitals. Future research is needed to examine whether this model can be applied to nurses from other countries and in other settings outside Australia.
authors.affiliation: Sougouzaitaku Medical Clinic, Hashima-gun, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kishi
authors.forename: Kumiyo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Crookes
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shorten
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007564:Japan / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Australian hospitals; Japanese; Japanese nurses; adaptation process; an adaptation model; international educational experiences; overseas qualified nurses; transcultural health; work force diversity