|
Back to Article List
September 10, 2002
By Dr. Marilyn Parker
"Travel and see the world!" Remember that exciting invitation? And, "Far away places with strange sounding names, far away over the sea." Did you ever realize that you wanted to be the one traveling, not the one to stay behind? Have you ever thought seriously about actually living and growing in a vastly different culture, where things and ideas are called by words that would forever be strange to your ears? More than simply "seeing the world," I wonder if some nurses who read these editorials might be interested in traveling to another country to share nursing expertise and equally to learn from colleagues of another nation. There is indeed a wonderful world out there to experience, and today more than ever, I'd like to ask nurses to step out, explore, learn and grow in new ways while fostering improved relationships among peoples of the world.
Last fall I fulfilled my dream to “travel and see the world!” I was a recipient of a Fulbright Scholar award and traveled to Thailand to work with colleagues developing a Ph. D. program in nursing. Since returning in early April my mind has been flooded daily with thoughts and memories of my time in Thailand. What may seem to be an extended "re-entry" has been a rewarding, continuing reflection on my life and my experiences, both personally and professionally.
To share some rather personal thoughts: I came to understand that what I lovingly call the "Thai Way" was just that---a genuine and beautiful way of living that expresses the values and beliefs of a people, and that this "way" was being offered to me. There is so much more to know and to understand than I could take in, but I know I am a better person than I could have ever hoped because of coming to know something of the Thai people. I have come home with a desire to be more open with my friends, family and others I may meet here --- to be a better listener and to be slower to respond before I have really understood the messages of the other. I want to try to follow the model of the "Thai Way" to take care of what is at hand, to live in the present, to be open to learn from many teachers, and to grow, and to do what is right in respect, acceptance, kindness and love.
The focus of my work was to assist with developing a PhD in Nursing Program at Prince of Songkla University in the south of the country---in the town of Hat Yai, Songkhla Province. What I actually did was this and so much more. In addition to my "home university" I visited and consulted with nursing faculty in five other universities in various parts of Thailand, as well as in Hong Kong and the Philippines. Especially in Thailand, I was very happy to learn that nursing is honored and respected by the Thai government and by the people, with funding over many years to develop nursing as a national resource. For example, there are more than 300 PhD prepared nurses in Thailand, each major university has a doctoral program in nursing and there are even more baccalaureate and master's programs preparing nurses to be in practice, education and research. Each year, Thai nurses attend doctoral programs and have post-doctoral experiences in the US and other western countries as a way to consolidate their educational experiences. As I write this, I'm completing plans for visits of seven Thai nursing faculty to Florida Atlantic University during this academic year --- so the rich exchange continues and there are now opportunities for US nurses to study for advanced degrees in Thailand.
There were several topics that brought together my practice, education and research interests with those of nurses in these Southeast Asia venues. One of these was Health Care Reform, that is taking place not only in the US, but also across the globe as health care resources shrink and demands grow. In Thailand, one goal of Health Care Reform is establishing Primary Care Units in villages to meet unique needs identified by the people of the villages. Research models are being developed and implemented by university nursing faculty with people of various villages, with the lead being taken by nursing faculty at Prince of Songkla University. A related research project is being conducted by nursing faculty at Chaing Mai University in which villagers are being taught to identify and provide initial care for some diseases.
Another area of mutual interest is about nursing theory and use of nursing theory in nursing practice. One thing now clear to me is that the focus of nursing in the US is on the individual, regardless of our strong intent to include the family and community. This became quite obvious as I learned that the family or group is truly the focus of the nurse in Thailand. I came to understand that this is a main reason that the nursing theories of the US are studied but sometimes not used in the East, nor perhaps in other countries where the culture and economy have the family and group at the center of concern. The influence of the "rugged individual" has had quite an impact on the culture and therefore on nursing in the United States. In addition, some of the concepts that are central to nursing in the west are not directly relevant in some other languages. One example is that the word "caring" has no direct translation in the Thai language, although "care," and "taking care of" is easily understood. Compassion is a very useful word, and the image is that "my heart is in your heart". A doctoral student at a Bangkok conference suggested to me that understanding and appreciating aesthetic knowing in nursing is essential for practicing caring in nursing.
You'll notice that I have not mentioned the wonderful food, the beautiful climate, the tropical waters, plants and animals of various sorts, the challenge of trying to learn a tonal language, and most especially the joy of being told, "don't worry now, you are Thai!" My five months in Thailand were a highlight of my personal and professional life, and I continue to be so grateful to the nursing faculty at Prince of Songkla University for their invitation and for their constant graciousness and generosity to me, and also for the stimulating and very satisfying colleagueship we shared and will continue to share in the future. While the various Fulbright Scholarship awards do not provide the only support for such rich and rewarding experiences, I am most grateful for the opportunity provided to me by the Fulbright Foundation in the US and the Thai-US Educational Foundation. I hope nurses will explore this and other possibilities through the many non-governmental organizations and religious groups that serve and learn in countries around our globe. For me, I will return each year to my "Thai home," beginning with a 10-day trip in December. I invite your questions and ideas as you find your "exotic place across the sea!"
About the Author
Dr. Marilyn Parker is a Professor at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University. She is also the Director for the Center for Innovation in School and Community Well Being. Dr. Parker has authored several textbooks in nursing theory. You may contact Dr. Parker by email at mparker@fau.edu.
|
|
 |
Corporate