Translation guide
In Japanese healthcare settings, the role of an assistant nurse is typically filled by a 准看護師 (jun kangoshi), a licensed practical nurse with a more limited scope than a registered nurse. This guide covers how to refer to this role, related titles, and natural ways to discuss nursing assistance.
The standard term for a licensed assistant nurse in Japan, equivalent to a practical or vocational nurse.
This is the official title for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Japan. They work under the supervision of a registered nurse (看護師) or doctor. This is the closest equivalent to 'assistant nurse' in a formal medical context.
彼女は准看護師として病院で働いています。
She works at a hospital as an assistant nurse.
准看護師の資格を取るために学校に通っています。
I'm attending school to get my assistant nurse license.
An abbreviation of 准看護師, commonly used in casual conversation or job ads. It's less formal but widely understood.
准看の求人を探しています。
I'm looking for assistant nurse job openings.
A person who assists nurses with basic patient care but does not hold a nursing license.
Refers to a nursing aide or nursing assistant who performs non-medical tasks like bathing, feeding, and transporting patients. This role does not require a nursing license.
看護助手として患者さんの身の回りのお世話をしています。
As a nursing assistant, I help patients with their daily needs.
Typically refers to a care worker in elderly care facilities, but can overlap with nursing assistant duties. Use this when the context is long-term care rather than a hospital.
A person who helps a nurse with tasks, not necessarily a formal title.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'assistant to a nurse.' It can refer to any helper, not necessarily a licensed position.
彼は看護師の助手としてカルテの整理を手伝っています。
He helps organize medical records as an assistant to the nurse.
准看護師 (jun kangoshi) is a licensed practical nurse with a shorter training period and a more limited scope of practice compared to a 看護師 (kangoshi), who is a registered nurse. In many contexts, 'assistant nurse' maps to 准看護師, but if you mean an unlicensed helper, use 看護助手.
If you simply say 看護師 (kangoshi), it means a registered nurse, not an assistant. Be specific if you need to distinguish the role.
The work of a nursing aide is physically demanding.