The Travel Nurse (Japanese TV Series)

The Travel Nurse (Japanese: ザ・トラベルナース) is a Japanese medical drama series that aired on TV Asahi from October 20 to December 8, 2022. The series consists of eight episodes and was broadcast in the network's Thursday 21:00 time slot.

Plot

The story follows Ayumi Nasuda, a 33-year-old nurse who returns to Japan after working as a nurse practitioner in the United States. Upon joining a general hospital in Japan, he finds the local medical hierarchy restrictive, as nurses are often expected to strictly follow doctors' orders. Driven by a desire to prioritize patient care, Nasuda frequently clashes with the medical staff due to his candid communication style. He eventually crosses paths with Shizuka Kuki, a mysterious 60-year-old nurse with exceptional clinical skills. While Kuki maintains a professional rapport with doctors, he is known for his blunt remarks regarding patient welfare and harbors a hidden secret.

Cast

The series features an ensemble cast, with the primary roles portrayed by:

• Masaki Okada as Ayumi Nasuda
• Kiichi Nakai as Shizuka Kuki
• Nanao as Makoto Gunji
• Yumi Adachi as Kikko Kaneya
• Yuri Tsunematsu as Mami Kosaka

Production

The drama was written by Miho Nakazono and directed by Ko Kanai, Osamu Katayama, and Hayato Yamada. It occupied the Thursday 21:00 time slot on TV Asahi, following the conclusion of Roppongi Class and preceding Outsider Cops, which premiered in January 2023.

Reception

The series achieved an average viewership rating of 12.1% in the Kanto region during its initial broadcast run.

Episode Ratings