[Faculty of Global Nursing] International Global Nursing Practicum III held in Singapore

In Faculty of Global Nursing, all third-year students undergo an internship abroad. This time, they undertook internships at Nanyan Polytechnic (NYP), a higher education institution in Singapore, and the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Singapore's largest national hospital specializing in psychiatry.

During the NYP training, students learned about Singapore's health insurance system and nursing in an aging society through lectures and facility tours. A distinctive feature of NYP's education is its emphasis on acquiring nursing practice and skills. Students experienced actual education through simulation training and considered the differences with Japan.

During my training at IMH, I observed outpatient and inpatient wards, as well as visiting nursing. In the wards, peer supporters, occupational therapists, and other professionals worked together to develop programs that utilize the individual characteristics of each patient, helping them acquire skills that lead to their rehabilitation into society and employment.

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.

Singapore is a country where people of diverse cultural backgrounds coexist, and in recent years, it has faced similar social challenges as Japan, including a declining birthrate and an aging population. Through lectures and facility tours, I was able to learn about nursing that emphasizes cultural understanding and the efforts being made to provide high-quality medical care to the elderly. Through these tours and lectures, I gained many insights and learning experiences that I would not have been able to gain through classroom instruction alone. The NYP students and faculty were also very kind. After weekday lectures and on weekends, the NYP students showed me around Singapore and introduced me to delicious food, making this a very fulfilling internship, not only in terms of learning but also in terms of interaction. Through International Global Nursing Practicum III, I was able to deepen my understanding of the "diverse nursing" I had learned about at university, as well as the health care system in Singapore.
(Mr. Hayashi, third grade)

For International Global Nursing Practicum III, I undertook a one-on-one visit with a nurse, which I found nerve-wracking. However, I was able to use the medical English I had learned to interact with patients and nurses, and it was a valuable experience observing symptoms such as auditory hallucinations. By spending the day with local nurses, I also gained a glimpse into the reality of home-based psychiatric nursing in Singapore. Furthermore, through tours of various wards, lectures, and Q&A sessions, I gained a deeper understanding of the current state of psychiatric nursing and ward care. While the all-day English training environment was challenging, it was a valuable opportunity to truly appreciate my own growth. On the final day, I also experienced traditional Singaporean games, deepening my understanding not only of psychiatric care but also of the culture.
(Takahama, third-year student)

(Source: Faculty of Global Nursing)