Brief History
The Development of Tzu Chi Nursing Education
In 1966, Master Cheng Yen founded the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Society, and in 1980, the Tzu Chi Foundation for Charitable Works. Recognizing the lack of medical resources and nursing personnel in the eastern regions of Taiwan, as well as the educational and employment challenges faced by indigenous girls, Master Cheng Yen established the Tzu Chi School of Nursing in 1989. The goal was to cultivate compassionate and skilled nursing professionals to improve the quality of healthcare in the region.
Initially, the school offered a two-year nursing program with 107 students enrolled in its first cohort. In 1990, a day program for a five-year nursing diploma was introduced, followed by the establishment of an evening division in 1992. In light of the geographic and resource challenges in the eastern regions, which particularly affected indigenous girls' access to education and employment, the Ministry of Education approved the school in 1996 to admit indigenous girls to a dedicated nursing program, offering them a life-changing opportunity.
On August 1, 1999, the Tzu Chi School of Nursing was authorized to transition into "Tzu Chi Institute of Technology." At this time, the two-year nursing program was discontinued. In 2014, a four-year nursing program was launched, and in 2015, the institution was elevated to "Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology." Subsequently, the university began offering international programs, including a four-year nursing track for students from Indonesia and a two-year program for international students from the Philippines. The student body, which started with 107 students, grew to over 2,000.
During this time, in 1994, the Tzu Chi Foundation established the Tzu Chi Medical School with the mission of "improving medical standards in the eastern regions, training outstanding healthcare professionals, and enhancing public welfare." The school was renamed the "Tzu Chi College of Medicine and Humanities" in 1998 and officially became "Tzu Chi University" in August 2000. From the outset, the university offered a master's program in nursing, becoming the first institution in eastern Taiwan to cultivate advanced nursing professionals. In 1997, a four-year nursing program was also introduced. In response to the shortage of doctors and the need to safeguard patient rights and safety, the university launched a specialized master's program in nursing in 2009, providing essential clinical nursing specialists for hospitals. In 2021, Tzu Chi University pioneered a public-funded master’s program in Family Nursing for specialized nursing practitioners.
In August 2024, Tzu Chi University and Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology merged, forming a new Tzu Chi University that integrates both liberal arts and technical education. The newly consolidated university offers diverse nursing programs, including five-year, two-year, and four-year tracks (both daytime and evening divisions), as well as a post-bachelor’s nursing program and master’s programs (daytime and in-service options).
Over the past 35 years, under the nurturing influence of Tzu Chi education, nearly 20,000 nursing graduates have entered the workforce, embodying the teachings of Master Cheng Yen by alleviating the suffering and anxiety of patients with love and patience. The university's motto, "Compassion, Joy, Generosity, and Equanimity," serves as a high standard for both faculty and students, encapsulating the spirit of selfless dedication and a humanistic care approach. This philosophy is at the core of Tzu Chi Nursing Education. Thus, Tzu Chi University is not only an institution that imparts professional skills but also one that fosters a deep commitment to humanistic care.