Learning a foreign language has much in common with Human Caring: arts, relationship, skills and knowledge; all have a role to play in bridging the gaps between people and cultures. One of our goals is to provide language education that incorporates genuine cross-cultural understanding. We work hard to create opportunities for learners to improve their communication skills, whether they aim to participate in international relief efforts or simply serve the needs of foreign patients in Japanese hospitals. Learning with native-speaking language teachers and participating in overseas study programs broadens our students’ horizons and helps them to acquire a greater awareness of the world. With this in mind, we are constantly seeking new opportunities for international communication with overseas students.
In 2009, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology awarded our college a prestigious 3-year grant to set up an International Relief Nursing Preparatory Program. Qualified nurses wishing to take part in international relief operations, such as those carried out by ICRC and IFRC, need to complete Japanese Red Cross Basic Training Course for International Relief Activities. Entry-level requirements for this course are English proficiency (TOEIC 550 points) and completion of three years clinical experience. However, for many nurses, motivation to study English declines during the time spent gaining clinical experience. In order to address this issue we designed a program to bring students’ English proficiency up to TOEIC 550 points by the time of graduation. This elective program is offered in conjunction with students’ Basic Nursing Education, and offers the opportunity to take part in international nursing study in the USA, Red Cross delegate observation in the Philippines, visit the headquarters of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland, and study English in New Zealand.
This course addresses issues related to international society, international relations, politics and culture. Students discuss questions such as “What is our role as health care workers?” and “As citizens of Hiroshima, Japan, what can we do for world peace?”
This course looks at global issues and international co-operation. Students learn about health care issues and the needs of developing countries through case studies of international nursing activities.
Students learn about nursing trends, issues and topics through a comparison between the U.S. and Japan, through discussions with nurses and students in the U.S., and by experiencing American cultures. Students are encouraged to reflect on their own practice through the lens of new views and different perspectives.
Our international nursing programs aim to prepare our students for a variety of diverse nursing perspectives, such as health care, social welfare, and natural or technological disasters in the global community. It is particularly important for Red Cross Nurses, who are specially educated based on Red Cross Humanitarian principles, to understand the global needs of health care and respond to them adequately. We are actively working to prepare nurses to assume responsible roles in any international activities.
Our International Nursing Program in the USA has been held in Salem State College in Massachusetts, the University of Nevada, Reno; and most recently in association with the University of Colorado Denver. This program gives students the opportunity to develop their awareness of global nursing issues. Through lectures and guided tours of local health care facilities, students learn about the essence of nursing and caring, and examine nursing theories, concepts, and applications for nursing practice from cross-cultural perspectives.
In 2008, our overseas nursing study program expanded to include an International Primary Health Care program exploring health, nursing and medical issues in the Philippines. Through field visits with Japanese Red Cross delegates, lectures with the Philippine National Red Cross, and by studying local health institutions, students learn about primary health care from an international viewpoint. By observing the lifestyles of local people, participants can gain cultural understanding and experience the actual conditions of international community nursing projects.
In contrast to many other RN Nursing programs, disaster nursing has been an important part of our curriculum since the college was established, and we encourage our students to acquire the skills they will need in the event that a disaster occurs. As part of their basic course requirement, students learn from the experiences of nurses who have engaged in disaster relief activities, engage in triage training and group work, and participate in simulated disaster drills conducted by hospitals. We hope that our students will play important and extensive roles as nurses in case of future disasters.