[Faculty of Global Nursing] International Nursing Practicum III held at Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology in Taiwan

For five days from January 8th to January 12th, 2024, ten third-year students Faculty of Global Nursing participated in the International Nursing Practicum III at Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology in Taiwan.
Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology has a huge university hospital with about 1,000 beds, and I was able to do my internship in a good environment where I could learn about nursing and medical care in Taiwan. The internship was not only classroom-based but also included a lot of experience, and I learned a wide range of things, not only about medical care and nursing in Taiwan, but also about culture and education.
Prior to participating in the internship, the students received guidance on crisis management and intercultural understanding, conducted advance study related to the internship, and thoroughly prepared for their trip, successfully completing the five-day internship.

[Contents of the 5-day training]
<Day 1>
・Introduce each other's universities
・Taiwanese cultural experience, university history and indigenous history tours
・OSCE (Objective-Study Clinical Competence Examination) lectures
<Day 2>
・Lecture on health issues related to the culture of indigenous peoples in Taiwan
・Current situation of child rearing in Taiwan and simulation training of newborn care using Real Care Baby
・Lecture on Chinese medicine
・Chinese language class - Learn pronunciation and introduce yourself in Chinese with students from Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology
<Day 3>
・Lecture on the current situation of pregnancy and childbirth in Taiwan
・Postnatal exercise using a balance ball
・Explanation of the Silent Mentor system at the Tzu Chi University School of Medicine, and a tour of the dissection room and mortuary
<Day 4>
・Innovative thinking - Explanation and practice on the creation of new equipment in the nursing field
・"Change what you can't accept!" - A lecture on the importance of trying new things
・Presentation of what you have learned so far
・Certificate of Completion
<Day 5>
・Tour of Tzu Chi University Hospital (neurology ward, palliative care ward, traditional Chinese medicine, etc.)

[Comments from participants]

・During my internship in Taiwan, I learned about the differences in nursing that come from differences in culture and religion, and the differences in nursing school systems. Compared to Japan, where many people do not believe in religion, many people in Taiwan believe in Buddhism, so prayer rooms were set up in the hospital for various religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. I was impressed by how flexible the hospital was in responding to diversity and how nursing care was provided that was tailored to each individual. Also, while most of the classes in Japan are classroom-based, in Taiwan, students take home a baby doll that runs 24 hours a day and experience childcare, read a patient's scenario in one minute and provide the necessary care for that patient in five minutes, and practice administering medication and giving injections while still a student. In order to foster students' independence, practical classes are valued.
The Taiwanese students and teachers were very kind to me and gave me a lot to learn. I felt that their acceptance and respect for others was wonderful, so I would like to recommend this program to everyone.
(Shinogi, 3rd year student Faculty of Global Nursing)

・I did the International Nursing Practicum III at Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology in Taiwan. It was my first opportunity to study abroad, so I was really looking forward to it. I was overwhelmed to learn about various things such as the culture of the indigenous people of Taiwan, the content of nursing education, the medical system, and medical issues. Looking back, I think that the fact that I was able to naturally find similarities and differences while comparing it with Japan was a point of growth for me. The most impressive lecture at Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology was the class on technological innovation in nursing. I was very impressed by how in Taiwan, failure is seen as "an opportunity" and updated daily to create better nursing. I would like to utilize this learning in my future nursing, and continue to learn with a broad perspective.
(Ms. Nakatsuji, 3rd year student Faculty of Global Nursing)

(Source: Faculty of Global Nursing)