In a now annual tradition, a cohort of six undergraduate nursing students from the National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Science (NTUNHS) visited the UW School of Nursing this summer. The group was led by Tsae-Jyy “Tiffany” Wang, who is Vice President of NTUNHS and an alumnus of the UW School of Nursing.
The trip was an opportunity for students to see how foreign healthcare and nursing education works, and to get immersed into American culture. During the trip, the students participated in Fourth of July and quintessential Pacific Northwest activities, shadowed healthcare workers, visited with community partners, and learned about nursing education and practice in the United States.
Experiencing Local Culture
The group kicked off their trip with a visit to Lopez Island.
“Visiting Lopez Island allowed me to experience a different side of America,” said visiting student Feng-Chun Chiu. “Seattle is a busy and modern city, but Lopez Island felt like a peaceful paradise, and I really enjoyed the slower pace of life.”
On Lopez Island, the students joined the local Fourth of July parade and participated in a float celebrating the recently opened community pool. The pool is the first community pool on Lopez Island and will help to keep the community healthy by providing a place for people to exercise and for children to learn to swim. The float was awarded the parade’s Grand Marshall Award.
In addition to participating in the parade, the students hiked, visited the farmers’ market, explored the local library, and went kayaking. Huang Li Ching said about the kayaking, “The scenery was absolutely breathtaking. Being surrounded by such peaceful nature gave me a chance to slow down, appreciate the moment, and enjoy the beauty around us.”
They also visited “Take It or Leave It” which is located at the dump on Lopez Island. People can leave things they no longer need, and others can take them for free. Tsai-Ting Kang mentioned, “I liked this idea because it helps reduce waste. I found a postcard that I liked and kept it as a souvenir. It reminded me that one person’s unwanted item can become someone else’s treasure.”
The visit left a lasting impression on the students.
“The most memorable thing for me was the “Lopez Wave’,” said Yung-Ching Tsao. “Everyone on the island seemed to have an unspoken understanding to wave at each other, which made the community feel very united and welcoming.”
Clinical Shadowing
Back in Seattle, the students met with UW School of Nursing faculty and students.
“I enjoyed meeting professors and students from different backgrounds and specialties,” said Chih-Tung Li. “It was interesting to learn about their projects and hear about their experiences. I was also inspired by the many different career paths and opportunities in nursing. My visit made me feel excited to begin this new journey.”
While at UW, they shadowed nurses in the UW Medical Center, observing similarities and differences between Taiwanese and American healthcare.
In the clinics, many of the students noted the level of autonomy many nurses in the U.S. have, compared to nurses in Taiwan.
“Rather than functioning solely as individuals who carry out instructions, nurses were active participants in clinical decision-making.” Yung-Ching Tsao said.
Students also appreciated the teamwork and collaboration they saw while on the floor.
“When a call bell rang, any available nurse would respond, even when the patient was not assigned to them,” said Tsai-Ting Kang. “When a new patient arrived, other nurses would also step in to assist with admission procedures and assessments.
They also observed how much say patients had in their treatment and care.
“I was particularly impressed by the emphasis placed on patient autonomy,” said Feng-Chun Chiu. “Nurses consistently explained procedures and care activities to patients and encouraged their participation in decision-making. These interactions helped build trust and reduce patient anxiety.”
Another student, Chih-Tung Li, was impacted by seeing a patient with cancer choosing the option to prioritize comfort over longevity. “After transitioning to comfort care, unnecessary tubes and interventions were discontinued, and she was able to eat what she wanted and spend her remaining time with greater comfort and dignity,” said Chih-Tung Li. “This experience prompted me to reflect on end-of-life care in Taiwan and reminded me that nursing is not only about prolonging life, but also about respecting patient autonomy, dignity, and quality of life.”
The fact that the nurses were eager to teach the visitors, despite their many clinical responsibilities, also made an impression.
“Despite their demanding workload, they willingly answered our questions, explained the rationales behind clinical interventions, and discussed differences between healthcare practices in the United States and Taiwan,” said Jia-Ru Chou.
Learning about US Nursing Education
While at the UW School of Nursing, the students also learned about the UW School of Nursing’s education pathways and explored the school’s state of the art simulation lab.
“Seeing UW’s highly realistic and versatile nursing equipment inspired me to value my learning resources and realize how essential pre-clinical preparation is,” said Jia-ru Chou. “It truly motivated me to enhance my nursing skills and work harder toward getting my U.S. RN license.”
Tsai-Ting Kang shared, “I learned that simulation is a great way to build confidence and improve nursing skills.”
As part of their trip the group attended a nursing ethics class, where they presented to UW Bothell students about nursing and health care in Taiwan. The class was taught by Dr. Ko Kiitsu from UW Bothell School of Nursing & Health Studies who wrote an article about the students classroom visit on their website.
“This weekend was much more than just a trip,” said Huang Li Ching. “It was a wonderful opportunity to learn, connect with amazing people, experience American culture, and create unforgettable memories.”
