title: Exploring career anchors among occupational health nurses in Japan: A qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the career anchor characteristics that are possessed by Japanese occupational health nurses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen occupational health nurses participated in the semistructured interview. Data analyses were conducted using descriptive qualitative methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The data showed the following five categories: practices concerning relationships and positions; development of occupational health practices; management skills for effective work; practices that are approved inside and outside the organization; and work and private life considerations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study described the career anchors among occupational health nurses in Japan. The participants emphasized the following: the importance of maintaining good cooperative relationships with workers and supervisors; balancing professional and organized labor; and practicing effective occupational health services. Moreover, the occupational health nurses emphasized receiving approval from inside and outside of the organization. These results were consistent with the actual practices of occupational health nursing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, The Jikei University, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshiko
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3973-8016
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hatono
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Kawasaki, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomohide
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kubo
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, School of Health Science, Tokai University, Isehara, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shimamoto
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Health Nursing, School of Occupational Health Science, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, Japan.
authors.forename: Junko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nakatani
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health System, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Burgel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan; D008875:Middle Aged; D009740:Nursing Staff; D016272:Occupational Health; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: career anchor; career development; career orientation; occupational health nurse; qualitative descriptive study