[Faculty of Global Nursing] Integrated Global Nursing Practicum at Chiang Mai University, Thailand

For two weeks from September 15th to 26th, 12 fourth-year students from Faculty of Global Nursing participated in an integrated Global Nursing program in the field of international Global Nursing at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital in Thailand.

In the first week, the students received explanations about the hospital's overall management and operational policies, the philosophy of the nursing department, and the distinctive approaches to nursing rooted in Buddhism. They also learned about the lifestyles and values of people who share Buddhism, and gained an understanding of content that will be useful for their ward training in nursing for the patients they care for. They also learned about palliative care, a distinctive form of nursing that is recommended, and practiced the massage techniques used in this field. They also visited the palliative care ward, where they learned about spiritual healing nursing that is heavily influenced by Buddhist thought.

In the second week, the 12 students were divided into 12 wards and developed a nursing process for providing full-scale care to assigned patients. During the ward training, students were assigned patients, and they observed environmental preparation, bathing, foot baths, wound disinfection, and nursing activities such as breastfeeding. In the labor and delivery center, students observed a twin C-section while continuing to care for a patient with premature rupture of membranes. In the emergency room (ER), students observed the interview and treatment of a patient with a fracture caused by a motorcycle fall, and each student gained a wealth of in-depth knowledge in their respective wards. On the final day, students gave presentations in English about what they had learned over the two weeks and received feedback from their preceptors. Unlike the first day, the presentation left everyone feeling a sense of accomplishment and confidence.

Before participating in the internship, the students received guidance on crisis management and cross-cultural understanding, among other things, and made thorough preparations for their trip, allowing them to successfully complete the two-week internship.

Here are some comments from participants of the training.
・Through this two-week internship in Thailand, I realized the importance of valuing the Thai national character and individuality in nursing. From the smiling greetings and spirit of hospitality, I learned the importance of communication beyond language alone. Seeing how Buddhists face their final moments, I want to provide nursing that respects their values and wishes.
(Uenada-san, 4th grade)

・My internship in Thailand was a fresh and valuable learning experience, with everything from culture to food and nursing. I was able to learn in a warm atmosphere, surrounded by calm, smiling people. I felt the difference in attitudes towards health through the spicy food and food culture, and I was impressed by the nursing attitude of valuing family and religion. I would like to use the experience I gained in a different culture in my future nursing.
(Wijesekera, 4th grade)

・Through my integrative Global Nursing training in Thailand, I was reminded of the importance of caring for patients and their families. From the preceptor's behavior and his words, "It's more important to look at the patient than the treatment," I realized the true essence of caring for the patient. Through interacting with terminally ill patients and communicating in English, I gained a valuable experience that allowed me to learn about the compassion that transcends language and the depth of nursing.
(Ishii, 4th grade)

(Source: Faculty of Global Nursing)