Translation guide
A nurse who works in community health, often employed by local government in Japan. The most common term is 保健師, but related roles exist.
The standard Japanese equivalent for a public health nurse, especially one working for a municipal or prefectural government.
The standard term for a public health nurse in Japan. They typically work at health centers (保健所) or municipal offices, focusing on preventive care, health consultations, and community health programs.
彼女は市役所で保健師として働いています。
She works as a public health nurse at the city hall.
保健師は地域の健康相談を行います。
Public health nurses provide health consultations in the community.
When referring to a nurse engaged in public health activities without the specific Japanese certification, or in a broader international context.
A more literal translation, sometimes used in academic or international contexts. Not a common job title in Japan.
公衆衛生看護師は感染症対策に重要な役割を果たします。
Public health nurses play an important role in infectious disease control.
Literally 'community nurse'. Sometimes used to describe nurses working in community settings, but not an official title. May overlap with visiting nurses.
地域看護師として在宅ケアを提供しています。
I provide home care as a community nurse.
When the English term is used loosely to refer to a nurse who visits homes, which is a related but distinct role in Japan.
A visiting nurse who provides medical care at patients' homes. This is a different profession from 保健師, but sometimes confused in translation. Use this if the context is home-based care.
訪問看護師が毎週来てくれます。
A visiting nurse comes every week.
保健師 (public health nurse) focuses on preventive care and health promotion in the community, often working for government agencies. 訪問看護師 (visiting nurse) provides direct medical care at patients' homes, usually employed by home-visit nursing stations. Do not confuse the two roles.
保健師は健康診断を実施し、訪問看護師は自宅で医療ケアを行います。
Public health nurses conduct health checkups, while visiting nurses provide medical care at home.
In English, 'public health nurse' can refer broadly to any nurse working in public health. In Japan, 保健師 is a specific licensed profession requiring national certification. If you are referring to a nurse working in a public health setting without that license, consider using a descriptive phrase instead.