Topic For Group Session

Topic for group session in International Nursing Seminar

“Nursing Preparation towards ASEAN Economic Community: Perspectives and Challenges”

Nursing Competency Standard

When AEC opens, the nurses will have a free movement to work among ASEAN countries. Some nurses may think that it is an opportunity for them to have not only more experiences, but also the advantage of transition from lower salary to high salary countries. Otherwise, some nurses may think that it will be disadvantage because of competition in terms of skill and competency. It means for those who have lower competencies will be left behind. As International nursing students, what do you think that we should do to make same standard of nurses among ASEAN Countries, in terms of education and competency?

Objective:

To study standard of nursing competency among ASEAN Countries
To discuss the way to make same standard of nursing competency

Outcome:

To have recommendation for the countries having no standard of nursing competency.

Note:

Standard of nursing competency is needed

Nursing Education

In related to nursing education, AEC opens the gate for nursing students who want to learn in ASEAN countries. Some students may think it is opportunity for them to study from other countries, but some may not. It is because the different programs or curriculums of nursing education, e.g. Indonesia and Vietnam have many levels of nursing programs, such as diploma, bachelor, and master degree. While in Thailand only has bachelor degree as a lower level standard of nursing education. Some countries also have bridging program, and some do not have. Therefore, it means a challenge for students to continue their education. As International nursing students, what do you think that we should do to make same standard of nurses among ASEAN Countries, in terms of education?

Objective:

To study standard of nursing education among ASEAN Countries
To discuss the way to make same standard of nursing education

Outcome:

To have recommendation for the countries having no standard of nursing education and

Note:

Standard of nursing education is needed.

Language

Among Asian countries, language diversity is a serious concern that one needs to take into consideration when discussing the movement of nurses. Language ability is extremely important for nurses and their work for two reasons. One is to communicate with medical professionals to deliver quality health care without failure or misunderstanding. Another is the needs and expectations of patients towards nurses are much more than just being able to talk, but providing “care” for them. The latter is closely linked with cultural values, which greatly affects their interactions with patients. The fact that even those Filipino nurses who can speak English fluently tend to be placed in the departments where direct verbal interactions with patients are relatively limited such as operation units, intensive care units (ICUS) and emergency rooms (ERs), not in mental health department, presents the importance of language proficiency at a different level. Nonetheless, sharing a common language is a tremendous advantage in facilitating the movement of nurses. In Asia only among countries such as Singapore, India, and Malaysia which use English as an official language or as a widely spoken language, is the movement of nurses relatively smooth.

Objective:

To discuss about the language program or training for Asian Countries
To discuss about the cultural program for Asian Countries

Outcome:

To have the kind of program which appropriate for AEC nurses in terms of Language and culture

The National Licensure Examination

In connection to the language requirements, most of Asian countries such as Japan, Korea, Thailand and China conduct national licensure examinations in the national language only. Although these countries do not have nationality restriction, the language requirements become a de-facto determent for foreign nurses. Only Singapore and Malaysia introduced a separate examination for foreign and/or foreign-trained nurses. The Singapore Nursing Board conducts the licensure examinations for foreign nurses in English. In 2005 the Board conducted 12 such examinations not only in Singapore, but also in the Philippines, China and India. This arrangement has facilitated a smooth movement of nurses to Singapore. Over the last five years there has been an upward trend in the number of foreign nurses who have sat for the examinations. In Malaysia, the Nursing Board Malaysia provides the Temporary Practice Certificate (TPC) to foreign nurses from seven countries who meet the requirements set by the Board. Apart from the TPC, the national licensure examinations for Malaysia trained nurses are held in two languages - English and Malay. This system facilitates the outflow of nurse migration from Malaysia to other countries as students can study nursing in English and receive national nursing license in English. This is a unique system in Asia. In most cases, nurses who study nursing in English still need to pass the national licensure examination in their national language. This adds burden to those who receive nursing education in the English language in non-English speaking countries. Therefore, in this condition, nursing managers or leaders may consider the standard of examination when AEC opens.

Objective:

To discuss a kind of language to pass nursing licensure examination in order to be able to work among ten ASEAN countries

Outcome:

To have the recommendation standard of nursing examination of ASEAN countries