[Faculty of Global Nursing] International Nursing Practicum III held at Da Nang University in Vietnam

From November 18th to November 22nd, 2024, ten third-year students from Faculty of Global Nursing participated in the International Nursing Practicum III at Da Nang University in Vietnam.
In the morning of the first day, a signing ceremony for the renewal of the agreement for the International Nursing Practice III was held with Da Nang University and Otemae University via Zoom. Afterwards, we had a campus tour and participated in a bacterial and genetic diagnosis exercise conducted by medical students.
On the second day, we attended a lecture on wound pathology, management and nursing together with local nursing students. We also practiced inserting and removing feeding tubes.
On the third day, the students had a practical training at Da Nang University Hospital, where they learned about the characteristics of nursing by observing the nursing management by the nursing department, as well as the orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery and general internal medicine departments. They also accompanied nursing students on their practical training, where they were able to learn about the nursing skills they need to acquire.
On the fourth day, we also went to a local nursery school together with local nursing students to provide health education to five-year-old children using dance and song to teach them how to wash their hands.
On the final day, each participant gave a presentation in English about what they had learned, reporting that each country has its own culture and background, and that it is important not only to compare but also to understand each other.
In preparation for their internship, the students received guidance in advance on crisis management and intercultural understanding, and made thorough preparations for their trip, successfully completing the one-week internship.

Below are some comments from participants of the training.

・Through my experience in the internship, I learned the fun of learning about diverse nursing. As Faculty of Global Nursing, I learned about the diversity of nursing at university. On top of that, by actually going on the internship, I was able to realize that culture, history, political background, climate, etc. are deeply related to nursing. Not everything I learned in Japan is correct, and there is nursing that is suited to each region. By getting involved in areas that you cannot understand just by traveling, I was able to have an experience that changes my own values. However, what I learned this time is only a part of the region. I would like to continue thinking about how to provide better nursing while facing nursing in my home country.
(Ms. Furukawa, 3rd year student Faculty of Global Nursing)

・Through my internship in Vietnam, I learned the importance of non-verbal communication. When I thought about how we should interact with children who can only communicate in Vietnamese, I felt that we could express what we wanted to say by making eye contact, smiling, and using gestures and body language. I felt that this could also be applied to foreigners who come to Japan from overseas, and I learned that even people from outside of English-speaking countries can provide Japanese nursing care to children in the same way as Japanese people by using non-verbal communication.
(Ms. Hashizu, 3rd year student Faculty of Global Nursing)

・Through this internship, I learned about the characteristics and culture of Vietnam and learned about its medical care, and I became deeply interested in the country and came to love it. By going to the country and learning new things every day, my horizons and thinking have broadened.
When I studied medical care in Vietnam, I looked for differences with Japan and compared them. I thought it was different because I was only looking at the disadvantages, but I learned that it is necessary to compare and consider the advantages and disadvantages, and then connect that to the next stage of nursing, and that this perspective is what it means to be a professional. I also learned that it is important not to be afraid of speaking English.
(Tatsutsu, 3rd year student Faculty of Global Nursing)

(Source: Faculty of Global Nursing)