Nurse Tomomi Ichinose

Becoming a nurse:

Was the reason you decided to pursue nursing because of your grandfather's encouragement?

That's right. When my grandfather was diagnosed with stomach cancer around the age of 60, he encouraged me to pursue nursing, saying it was a great profession. However, at the time, I wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about it. Nursing was considered a tough job, often referred to as the '3Ks' (demanding, dirty, and dangerous – kitsui、kitanai、kiken), and my parents also advised me against it, saying 'It's better if you don't do it.' But when my mother started working at a hospital, she told me again, 'Nursing is a wonderful profession,' and my perspective gradually changed. At 23, I decided to quit my previous job and enrolled in nursing school.

Starting nursing school at 23 was an experience of learning with younger classmates, wasn't it?

My class was made up mostly of people with prior work experience, rather than those who went straight from high school. As a result, I didn’t feel much of an age gap. Many of them, like myself, were motivated by a strong desire to become nurses.

Is there anything from your nursing school experience that you feel is still useful to you today?

I conducted research on the theme of 'Quality of Life as a Woman' for my graduation thesis. When I was assigned to care for female cancer patients, I had many conversations with them. I believe it was difficult for them to accept having cancer, but more than that, they had to deeply reflect on their lives as mothers, wives, and women. For example, one woman spoke about not being able to prepare anything for her middle school son's school trip or feeling guilty towards her husband. She also talked about how, as a woman, her breasts were an important part of her identity, and losing them made her feel as though she was being denied her femininity. At that time, I really had to think deeply about how to support them. I can never forget that experience. In infertility treatment as well, some women feel as though they are being denied their femininity because they can't get pregnant, so I believe the experience from my thesis has really shaped the way I approach these situations.

Experience and Sense of Fulfillment as a Nurse

How was it after you started working as a nurse?

While attending nursing school, I also worked at a hospital, so the challenges of the nursing profession didn’t feel as overwhelming after obtaining my nursing license. Perhaps it was because the hospital where I worked during my student days was a great environment, but I actually had many enjoyable experiences and began to realize that nursing was a good fit for me. After obtaining my qualifications, I started working at Oak Clinic. However, due to marriage and relocation, I left Osaka for a while. I took a break from Oak Clinic and gained experience in internal medicine and pediatrics. But after returning to Osaka, I rejoined Oak Clinic once again.

What moments do you find most rewarding in your work in reproductive medicine?

The moments when patients become pregnant and graduate from our clinic, and they thank us with tears in their eyes. I truly feel happy for them from the bottom of my heart.

Can you tell us about your daily routine?

I also have experience with treatment. I now have a 3-year-old son, but before I was able to have him, I endured the pain of injections and faced many challenges. Because of this, I strive to empathize with the pain and anxiety that patients experience. I feel that my own experience has contributed to the fulfillment I get from my work. Fertility treatment is a difficult journey, but having gone through it myself, I’m determined to help others in their path to receiving the gift of life.

You have experience with fertility treatment too?

Yes, I received treatment at Oak Clinic. I had trust in the doctors and staff, and I thought, 'I want to undergo treatment here!' Due to my age, there were some difficult times before I became pregnant, but now I am not only grateful for having a child, but also for thinking 'I'm glad I chose Oak for treatment.' I believe this is something very important and meaningful to me as a nurse because, from both my experience as a patient and as a nurse, I can support other patients. For example, when patients ask me, 'What was that test like?' I can say, 'Well, that test felt like this,' and share it from the perspective of a patient, including details about the process. I think it's great that my own experience can be useful in that way.

Approach and Philosophy in Dealing with Patients

Is there anything else you particularly focus on during treatments?

I make it a priority to explain things in simple terms, avoiding medical jargon as much as possible, so that patients feel comfortable and can easily understand. Additionally, I always try to approach them with a smile, so they feel at ease to ask even the smallest questions or express any concerns.

I’m sure there are patients who feel like giving up at times. How do you support them?

I prioritize being attentive to the patients' feelings. To help them better understand the treatment and ease any stress, I sometimes share my own treatment experience. Additionally, if time is limited during outpatient visits, I guide patients to the call center, where they can have a more thorough conversation and ensure proper follow-up. It's not only about treatment-related questions or concerns, but also providing a safe space for them to express any frustrations or emotions they may have. At Oak, we have systems in place to ensure this level of support.

Private Life and Health Management

How do you relax on your days off despite your busy work schedule?

My favorite way to refresh on my days off is to watch Korean dramas lazily. On weekdays when I have a day off, I send my son to daycare early, have a hot beverage and snacks, I immerse myself in Korean dramas until it's time to pick him up. Getting absorbed in the story helps me forget the fatigue of daily life.

What kind of hot beverage and snacks do you like?

I mostly drink coffee, and I like both sweet and salty snacks. I just nibble on whatever snacks are available at home. K-Drama series are long, sometimes over a hundred episodes, so they’re really engaging. However, there are times when the story doesn't progress as I’d like, which can be frustrating, but that’s also part of why I love K-Drama.

Do you have any recommended dramas? I don't really know much about K-dramas.

Well then, how about 'The Bird's Nest'? It's a bit older, but it might be good for beginners, so definitely give it a try! K-dramas often have intense revenge plots, but even though the scenes can be serious and realistic, there are sometimes points that make you want to comment or laugh, which makes it interesting to watch.

The Bird’s Nest,’ right? I’ll check it out. How do you spend time with your family?

My two daughters are already adults and live separately, but they often come back home. We talk about various things, and they also help take care of my son. My son loves his older sisters, and although they have a big age gap, it’s fun to listen to their conversations. Watching that, I think to myself that I’m glad I worked hard through the treatments, and I want to give this gratitude back to the patients... that’s what I think.

Raising children, work, and managing the household... it must be tough in many ways. How do you manage your health?

I incorporate beauty IV drips and vitamin supplements into my routine. Even on busy days, I believe it's important to take care of my health, as it also impacts my ability to care for my patients. Some patients may be getting enough calories, but not enough nutrients. Many of them are very health-conscious and do a lot of research, so I want them to be mindful of preventing vitamin deficiencies. Also, I try not to dwell on things too much and make an effort to shift my mindset when needed.

Future Challenges and Dreams

Lastly, could you tell us about the challenges you would like to take on in the future and your dreams?

I am interested in art makeup (cosmetic tattooing). Since it's something you can learn with a nursing qualification, I hope to study it. As women, we want to feel like women no matter how old we get. I’ve had my eyebrows done with art makeup, and it's great because I don’t have to draw them anymore, and they won’t become uneven. It’s really convenient. If you’d like, you should give it a try!