Study Nursing in Thailand

History

The institution now known as the Faculty of Nursing was established in 1959 as a Division within the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, in Bangkok, for the purpose of moving to the north. In 1960 the Faculty of Medicine, including the Nursing Division, moved to Chiang Mai, becoming the first Medical School under the Ministry of University Affairs to be set up outside the capital. Its aim was to provide better medical care and education for the people in the north and to introduce preventative measures in public health for rural people.
In 1965 the Faculty of Medicine was incorporated into Chiang Mai University, and in 1972 the Faculty of Nursing became a separate faculty within the University.

Philosophy

We believe that nursing is an essential profession in society which contributes to the health and well being of entire nations. As the profession develops, nurses are taking on an increasing responsibility for providing health care services, and we want to ensure nurses are prepared to meet these challenges. It is our aim to highlight nursing as a profession which serves not only individuals and families but whole communities.
Nurses care for people who are ill, people who are at risk of ill-health, and people who are healthy. We want nursing services to provide health promotion, primary health care, disease prevention, nursing care and rehabilitation. We also want nurses to help empower individuals to manage their own health care.
We are renowned for providing many of the most professional and highly qualified nursing experts in the country.

Function

As a commitment of Chiang Mai University, we have four principal functions: education, research, community service and cultural conservation.

Education

This is our faculty's primary function. Our skilled academic staff is able to provide vital programmes and courses, designed specifically to meet the increasing needs of society. These programmes range from certified through to specialised post graduate programmes and international short training courses. The Faculty of Nursing has 162 full time teaching staff (37 associate professors, 37 assistant professors and 88 teaching instructors).

Candidates from all over Thailand are choosing to study at our faculty in Chiang Mai University and we are also developing programmes to assist neighbouring countries. Our reputation enables us to select the very best academic staff and the most promising student candidates for our programmes.

We have adopted an interdisciplinary approach and flexible, student centred programmes. All students are expected to become proficient in self directed study.

The undergraduate programmes have both practical and theoretical elements to ensure students become fully prepared for their important care role. They gain practical experience in the specialist laboratories on campus before practising in the various hospitals, clinics, workplaces and homes.

Our postgraduate courses focus on the student's chosen area of specialisation, and contain a greater emphasis on academic rigour and independent research.

Exceptional students on the Bachelor Degree programme have the opportunity to compete for places on international student exchange visits to overseas universities. Students visiting the Faculty of Nursing from universities abroad are in both undergraduate and graduate programmes, and courses are designed by the Faculty of Nursing in accordance with objectives of the students.

We are constantly planning and developing international programmes. Nurses from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Pacific attend our international short courses. These courses are designed to promote an international exchange of knowledge and experience and to provide students with an opportunity to gain theoretical knowledge and clinical experience.

Research

Research work is currently undertaken by the Research Promotion Committee which promotes research among faculty members and students and helps them develop their research skills. It offers workshops, seminars and presentations by scholars from Thailand and overseas.

Research is funded through a variety of agencies which include the Royal Thai Government, the National Research Council, Chiang Mai University, the China Medical Board of New York, Inc., the World Health Organization, UNFPA, UNDP and others. Funding is allocated by the Research Promotion Committee.

Our aim is to deepen and broaden knowledge in nursing through research. By the end of 2001, 265 research projects had been completed and others are currently in progress. These projects included HIV/AIDS research and the relatively new areas of gerontological nursing practice, clinical nursing, nursing administration, and nursing education. Each of the eight nursing departments in the Faculty of Nursing has research work in progress. In the year 2001 the Faculty of Nursing established a Center for Nursing Research accessible to all nursing personnel in the north of Thailand.

Community Services

We provide a service to transfer knowledge to the community, to improve the health of local people and to develop the nursing profession. We currently offer services such as the Rural Health Care Programme, the Childbirth Preparation Programme, the Nutritional Programme, the Elderly Health Promotion Programme, a Day Care Center for children, and an Elderly Club.

The Faculty is also responsible for a Royal Project and a King's Project which provide services to rural people of the North. Theses project focus on health improvement for people in rural or remote areas.

We provide in-service training for professional nurses, especially those in the north of Thailand. To date, this training has included orthopaedic and rehabilitation nursing, infection control nursing, critical care, gerontological nursing and management of HIV/AIDS training.

Health education training for community leaders, Buddhist monks, school teachers, students and local people is also provided. Topics include first aid, self medication and self care, prevention of drug abuse, family planning, child health and child care.

Cultural Conservation

Cultural conservation is also encouraged. Our faculty and students participate in activities aimed at conserving and promoting Thai and Lanna culture and tradition. We actively support local and University community ceremonies, and encourage student's participation.

Faculty Structure

The Faculty of Nursing has been headed by Dean Wipada Kunaviktikul, R.N., D.S.N. since May 2001. She is assisted by seven Associate Deans, two Assistant Deans, and there are eight department heads within our faculty.

There are 162 full time faculty members and 136 support staff personnel. (See page 55 for a full list of faculty members.)

We also have an active International Relations Office which provides seminars, workshops and presentations conducted by Thai and overseas specialists.

Students

There are approximately 1,000 students enrolled in the following programmes:

Certificate of Practical Nursing (one year programme) 60 per year
Bachelor of Nursing Science (four year programme) 100-150 per year
(two year programme) 50-75 per year
Master of Nursing Science (two year programme) 180 per year
Master of Public Health Nursing (one year programme) 10 per year
Doctor of Nursing Science (three year programme) 13-15 per year

In addition approximately 70 participants take part in our short international programmes each year.

Location & Service

We are located at the southeastern corner of the Health Sciences campus, immediately to the west of the Suan Dok city gate.

Library

Our specialist library has a collection of material relevant to Nursing Science and many research papers and theses.

Computer Service Center

The Faculty has a Computer Service Center available for students and faculty members, which offers word-processing and on-line facilities, research programs, and training to ensure up-to-date competence in all computer-based applications. The Center is responsible for maintaining the computers throughout the faculty, and is connected to the main University network for research and communications.

Learning Resource Centre

This centre has audio-visual equipment, computer faculties and nursing laboratories, where students gain nursing skills before undertaking practical work in clinical settings.

Housing

Priority is given to undergraduates taking the Bachelor of Nursing Science programme. All students lodging on campus pay a dormitory fee. In their first year they share dormitory accommodation on the main campus. During the next three years they live in Faculty of Nursing dormitories on the Health Sciences campus. If space is available it is offered to graduate students. Alternatively there is a wealth of private accommodation available in Chiang Mai city.

Shopping and Recreation

A range of services is available to students including a cafeteria, hairdresser, dressmaker, and a laundry service. There are several places to buy food including fresh produce, and a large monthly market is held on campus. Other facilities such as banks, a post office, markets and shops are all located on the campus. Dormitories also have typing and photocopy services for students' academic work.

All of the recreational facilities on the main campus, situated only one kilometer away, are available to our students.