Within China, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is considered part of China’s primary health care system and is closely tied in with the Chinese culture. On the other hand, in Western countries such as Australia, TCM is generally recognised as a form of complementary medicine or an alternative therapy. For this reason, TCM is most commonly used alone or alongside Western medicine to advance a patient’s health and wellbeing.

Tags: Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, Sharing Stories, Student Nurses
Published: November 04, 2010

Knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine spans over 2000 years and is used widely in China and across the world. TCM is an integral component of Chinese culture and places great emphasis on the whole person. TCM also recognises the importance of the relationship between the individual and nature which leads to balance, harmony and ultimately health and well-being.

Tags: Yin Yang Theory, Traditional Chinese Medicine, China, Nursing Education, Sharing Stories, Student Nurses
Published: September 28, 2010

Tags: Student Nurses, Sharing Stories, Reflection
Published: June 26, 2010

Not for the first time on this blog I am raising the subject of what to do with nursing students. I firmly believe students should be wage earners, and a part of the clinical team, much as trainee interns are. I realise internship is available in some form in some countries, sometimes paid, sometimes not. This tends to be a third-year, pre-registration deal and is usually insufficient exposure to practice.

Students need time to internalise the basics. My last student, who I supervised for only one twelve-hour shift, wanted me to evaluate him for his provision of “effective family-centred care”. I told him to talk to me after a few more years.

Tags: Student Nurses
Published: February 09, 2009