Advancing Nursing Education in Vietnam

In October 2024, I traveled to Vietnam to support nursing education through conference presentations and hands-on workshops. As a volunteer nurse educator for Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) and Nurses International (NI), my mission was to collaborate with local experts to enhance clinical nursing skills and foster global collaboration.

At the 4th International Nursing Science Conference at Thai Nguyen National Hospital, I presented on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), sharing evidence-based neurological assessment techniques. To ensure accessibility across diverse clinical settings, free, multilingual resources from the original GCS team were made available.

Following the conference, I conducted a workshop for experienced nurses in Phú Thọ Province. These interactive sessions covered patient assessment tools, including the Braden Scale for pressure ulcer prevention and nursing care planning. The combination of theoretical lectures with bedside teaching enabled participants to immediately apply their learning in a practical setting.

It was an enriching experience to collaborate with the nurses as they provided high-quality, team-based care to their community with dedication and compassion. This observation influenced my teaching strategy, leading me to refine lesson plans daily to align with the nurses’ expertise, specific patient needs, and the hospital’s public health priorities. Drawing from Nurses International’s open-access resources and current U.S. evidence-based practices, I focused on building nurses’ confidence in independent assessments. The nurses’ enthusiasm and active participation not only inspired me but also transformed my teaching approach, contributing significantly to my growth as an educator.

Before departing, I had the opportunity to present at another conference, sharing my passion for leveraging digital technology to enhance global nurse mentorship and foster stronger international nursing partnerships. This is a topic I am deeply engaged in and committed to advancing.

This experience offered profound insights into Vietnam’s culture and healthcare system, further solidifying my dedication to working in Vietnam and deepening my commitment to global nursing education—the cornerstone of my PhD studies. I am deeply grateful to Health Volunteers Overseas, Nurses International, and my colleagues in Northern Vietnam for this invaluable opportunity, and I look forward to continuing this meaningful work.

Author: Vanessa Teed

Health Volunteers Overseas Volunteer
Nurses International Volunteer

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