Our Philosophy
Tzu Chi Nursing Education Philosophy
Tzu Chi Nursing Education is deeply influenced by the teachings of Master Cheng Yen and the spirit of Tzu Chi. The philosophy aims to cultivate nursing professionals who are not only technically proficient but also deeply committed to holistic care and humanistic values. The focus is not just on technical skills but also on nurturing cultural literacy and fostering virtuous character.
1.Balancing Professionalism and Humanism in Education
Tzu Chi Nursing's educational approach integrates the essence of Tzu Chi's humanistic spirit across various aspects, including curriculum design, teaching methods, educational resources, and moral education. The curriculum is comprehensive and diverse, with general education courses aimed at enhancing students' foundational skills and building humanistic values, while professional courses emphasize both career development and the integration of compassionate care.
2.Abundant Teaching Resources
The educational process places a strong emphasis on hands-on training, encouraging students to consolidate their knowledge through practical experience. This approach enhances their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to apply what they've learned in real-world settings. To ensure students master excellent nursing skills, the school continually invests in and upgrades campus spaces and teaching facilities to create a professional, safe, and comfortable learning environment. Specialized laboratories, such as Basic Nursing, Internal and External Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Health Assessment Labs, are available. In addition, there are innovative spaces like an Integrative Chinese-Western Medicine Nursing Lab, Multifunctional Nursing Classrooms, and an ICU Simulation Room, offering students a flexible and diverse learning experience.
Tzu Chi University also houses the country's largest Clinical Skills Simulation Center, which opened in 2019. The center, designed to meet national exam standards, includes 16 simulated hospital wards and employs standardized patients and clinical scenario-based teaching, providing students with a comprehensive "hands-on" learning experience. Furthermore, it features a 250-seat international conference hall.
3.Integration with Tzu Chi Healthcare System to Strengthen the "Theory and Practice" Connection
In addition to theoretical and laboratory courses, the curriculum actively collaborates with various medical institutions, arranging clinical internships that allow students to gain real-world experience and bridge the gap between theory and practice. The Tzu Chi healthcare system, which includes Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, and Taichung and Dalin Tzu Chi Hospitals, provides a diverse range of learning environments and resources, making it an ideal place for students to study and begin their careers.
4.Humanistic Care and Character Education
Humanistic care and character development play a central role in Tzu Chi's educational system. Faculty and staff guide students to become nursing professionals with strong character and excellent skills through teachings by example and in various contexts, such as life education and service-learning courses. This approach helps cultivate empathy and an altruistic worldview centered on compassion. The practice of humanistic education is embedded in formal, informal, and hidden curricula.
The formal curriculum includes compulsory courses like "Tzu Chi Humanism" and a variety of elective courses, such as "Climate and Human Activity," "The Ocean and Me," "Tea Ceremony," and "Flower Arranging." These courses, through practical activities and volunteer work, encourage students to develop empathy, a sense of responsibility, and social etiquette. In nursing-specific courses, special programs focusing on nursing care and community service learning teach students to care for others while learning to love and care for themselves.
Informal courses consist of various campus and community activities infused with humanistic values, such as cultural events, graduation ceremonies, volunteer services, and community outreach programs. Students participate in volunteer work in indigenous communities, helping improve living conditions, promoting hygiene education, and assisting with academic tutoring. These experiences teach students to approach others with compassion and gratitude, embracing the philosophy of "people-centered" service.
The hidden curriculum is conveyed through daily life education and the school's environment, which shapes students' humanistic values and character. Students learn to appreciate the value of simplicity and sustainability by following practices such as wearing uniforms, using personal utensils, and engaging in environmental conservation efforts. The school's simple yet elegant campus design reflects values of modesty and integrity. Additionally, the "Tzu Cheng Yi De Association," composed of distinguished Tzu Chi members, interacts with students, guiding them in etiquette, moral ethics, and providing timely care and listening support. This subtle guidance fosters gratitude, respect, and love in students, shaping their character and helping them learn to serve patients with love and patience in their future nursing careers.