Development of a training program for foreign nurses candidate based on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) : The significance of training experience in Japan for nurses candidate in the Philippines

Purpose & Subjects: To interview foreign nurse candidates who visited Japan from the Philippines in 2009 based on the EPA in order to reveal the significance of their training experience in Japan and obtain feedback for developing an effective training system. Methods: We intervened regarding the training program for nurse candidates and analyzed subsequent interviews with them using a qualitative inductive approach. Results: The nurse candidates sustained { i n c o n v e n i e n c e } f r o m [ u n a n t i c i p a t e d geographical conditions] and {loneliness} from [being separated from family and friends]. Before the intervention, they experienced {feelings of isolation} because they [could not say what they wanted],{unjustness} concerning [lack of their desired medical department despite it having been shown] and [a training program completely different from what they wanted], and {anguish} at [bewilderment at being made to work as a helper] and [unanticipated training program]. {Complaint} was derived from the candidates’ thoughts, such as that they [complained to the researchers even though they would get in trouble because they could not endure]. After the intervention, {change} was seen in the training system and the candidates’ feelings due to [positive change of the support system], [themselves making efforts], and [determination of new study methods]; they began to show {hope} from a [change of the training program to duties fitting of nurses] and a [shift and change in feelings]. The results of this study pointed to the importance of providing a training program that prevents loss of hope and pride in candidates who had been very proud of nursing experience until then