From Dean

Welcome

The College of Nursing, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, provides education to students who wish to study nursing with the aim of working as a nursing professional (nurse, public health nurse, and school nurse, as well as midwife and specialist nurse following postgraduate study) after graduation. The college is committed to nurturing talent who will take the lead in the area of health and can work at an international level.

Nursing studies is an academic discipline based on the science of practice. It is underpinned by the application of practical knowledge. In addition, the nursing profession aims to help people live an authentic life and provide health support to people so that they can achieve their life goals. In doing so, nurses respect the dignity of the individual for whom they are caring, understand their hopes and values, and help them demonstrate their capacity to the maximum possible extent. Nurses are expected to understand that they need to be proactive thinkers who feel the situation and take action to help the individual for whom they are caring adapt to a new environment. Nurses are also expected to provide patients with opportunities to learn how to lead a healthy life, as well as provide support for activities of daily living. As nurses provide care, it is essential that they maintain the pace of their patients.

To provide quality nursing care, it is necessary for nurses to review and improve support for each individual receiving care. In doing so, nurses need to gain a broad understanding of the following: people’s life course from birth to death, various aspects of life, relationship with family and others, and the structure of the human body and diseases.

With the aim of nurturing talent who can provide quality nursing care, the College of Nursing provides Year 1 and Year 2 students with classes in general and basic subjects, in which students can deepen their understanding of human nature from a broad perspective and gain general knowledge, which are necessary for them to grow as mature adults. Meanwhile, Year 2 and Year 3 students will study basic technical subjects necessary for a nursing professional. The subjects are related to the following three fields: “science of the mind and behavior,” “human and life science,” and “studies for providing support for daily living.” Year 4 students will be given an opportunity to sit for an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), which is the culmination of their learning in technical nursing subjects. Moreover, the college provides students with opportunities to participate in PBL tutorials where they can work with students in different professional fields (care colloquium). In a care colloquium, students work in small groups that include those from the College of Medicine and the College of Medical Sciences as well as those from Tokyo University of Science. Groups of students discuss care case studies based on case scenarios in which multiple professions are involved in providing care to a patient and their family.

Since the 2012 academic year, enrollment in the school nurse course and the public health nurse course in the College of Nursing has been selective. In the school nurse course, students study education-related subjects that are required for a school nurse. In the public health nurse course, students study public health-related subjects mainly in Year 4.

Students who do not select either the school nurse course or the public health nurse course will study the subject “Exploration of Nursing Studies.” The subject aims to help students acquire the skills of applying knowledge and develop research perspectives. Nursing college graduates are expected to have such skills and perspectives. The subject “Exploration of Nursing Studies” comprises the following seven fields: international nursing studies, human factors and ergonomics in nursing, studies of health support for children, nursing practice and care system development, studies of health support for women, health promotion for older adults, and studies of support for people with mental health and illness. Students will deepen their technical knowledge through seminar-based teaching. In seminar-based teaching, students receive specialized instructions from a teaching staff on an individual basis or in a group of two, in line with their interest. Meanwhile, students will be given an opportunity to participate in a summer seminar in the US, in which they attend classes at the University of Illinois and take part in a shadowing practicum at a local hospital. The summer seminar is aimed at helping students nurture a global mindset. Some of the students of the College of Nursing are studying at the University of Southern Indiana, USA, on a long-term basis.

The University of Tsukuba is surrounded by abundant natural beauty, and provides an environment that allows students to immerse themselves in learning experiences through cross-disciplinary networks. In March this year, the 10th group of graduates from the College of Nursing newly joined our alumni community. The college is one of the newest in the University of Tsukuba. However, many of its graduates are continuing their study in a graduate school, whereas others are building their careers in a wide range of sectors including health, education, and public administration.

We look forward to receiving applications from people who are highly motivated to acquire cross-disciplinary knowledge, a global mindset, communication skills, and advanced technical skills in their pursuit of career advancement in the area of nursing.

DeanHidaka Kikue