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

At Faculty of Global Nursing, all students in their third year undergo an internship abroad.
Twelve students participated in the "International Global Nursing Practicum III" at Tzu Chi University in Taiwan for five days from December 8th to 12th. Global Nursing at Tzu Chi University places emphasis on providing holistic, compassionate care (loving care) based on Buddhism.
During the training, the students visited a facility that is the world's first to introduce a system for learning from donated bodies, as well as a university hospital's day care center, dementia day care facility, palliative care ward, and department that provides Chinese medical care. They also experienced Chinese tea ceremony and flower arranging, and participated in a cultural exchange with students from Taiwan, the Philippines, and Thailand.

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.

During International Global Nursing Practicum III, students visited Tzu Chi University and hospitals in Taiwan to learn about the differences in medical care and nursing education between Japan and Taiwan, as well as the current state of nursing. Tzu Chi University introduced Objective-Study-Clinical-Certification Examinations (OSCEs) about 10 years ago, which test students before clinical practicums to ensure they demonstrate appropriate attitudes and techniques with patients. Because this test requires students to adapt to changing situations, I noticed how students approach their studies with a sense of urgency. We also learned that Taiwan offers a traditional form of medical care, acupuncture and moxibustion, and that Eastern and Western medicine are used appropriately depending on the patient. During the practicum, students experienced acupuncture and moxibustion therapy firsthand, experiencing its effectiveness firsthand. Through this practicum, students also gained exposure to diverse cultures through interactions with local students. Studying locally allowed them to experience the similarities and differences with Japan, providing a valuable opportunity to reexamine their own perspectives on nursing from a new perspective.
(Matsuda, third-year student)

During the International Global Nursing Practicum III, I visited Tzu Chi University, its affiliated hospital, and the facilities where nurses work in Hualien, Taiwan, and learned two major things. The first was that by experiencing OSCEs, which are not offered at Otemae University, and traditional Taiwanese medicine such as acupuncture and moxibustion, and traditional Chinese medicine such as a Chinese herbal medicine pharmacy, I was able to develop a diverse perspective on nursing. The second was that the program included a wide range of experiences, including the history of Taiwan's ethnic groups and fields that may not seem related to nursing, such as tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and indigo dyeing, which reaffirmed the importance of understanding the cultural backgrounds and meanings of life of patients receiving treatment in each country. Furthermore, this practicum was conducted jointly with students from Thailand and the Philippines, and students were able to deepen their cultural exchange and enjoy the program. It was not just a chance to learn about nursing and culture in another country, but also a valuable opportunity to deepen their interactions with other Global Nursing in English.
(Shimizu, third-year student)

(Source: Faculty of Global Nursing)