Students from Tzu Chi University Once Again Achieve Impressive Results in the Licensure Examinations

On September 12, 2023, the Examination Yuan released the 2023 Professional Licensure Examination results. Students from the Tzu Chi University School of Medicine continue to shine, once again delivering an outstanding report card with pass rates for clinical laboratory scientists, registered nurses, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, and physical therapists significantly higher than national averages.

“I am grateful to Tzu Chi University for its learning environment and passionate professors. Without Tzu Chi University, I wouldn’t be who I am today,” said Ren-Yu Lee, who recently scored high on the clinical laboratory scientist licensure exam. Ren-Yu stated that before joining the University, he disliked studying. With encouragement and the expectations of his academic advisors, competition among peers, pressure he put on himself, and loving care from faculty members in his department, he passed the licensure exam with high scores. He developed a regular daily schedule, persistent learning habits, and a resilient mindset—things which money cannot buy. Seeing students successfully obtain their certifications, no one was happier than the school’s faculty members.

Tzu Chi University provides opportunities for students to learn the essence of each subject and its applications. The University works with Tzu Chi affiliates worldwide in charity, healthcare, education, and humanistic culture, allowing each department to make plans to attend to its needs and assisting students in preparing for licensure exams. 

Since its exception in 1994, the University has maintained a tradition of high pass rates every year, and the recently released results continue this tradition. Students of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology achieved a 75% pass rate for clinical laboratory scientists (the national average was 28.61%), students of the Nursing Department obtained a 90% pass rate for registered nurses (compared to the national average of 45.73%), students from the Department of Physical Therapy achieved a 42.11% pass rate for physical therapists (the national average was 22.85%), and students from Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine also acquired a 95.35% pass rate for the first stage of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners (the national average was 73.95%).

Forty students from the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology took the licensure exam this year; thirty passed, a pass rate of 75% (the national average was 28.61%), 2.5 times the national pass rate, producing results comparable to the top universities in Taiwan. The Department chair, Kai-Chih Chang, stated that in addition to the faculty members’ dedicated teaching, the Department has also provided many supporting measures, such as offering elective courses or tutoring programs related to subjects required by the licensure exam, as well as providing online practice tests and guidance, allowing students to test and identify their weak points and make it up. Moreover, the Department encouraged students to persistently prepare for the exam, assisted them in devising review plans, and guided them to arrange their study time reasonably. Students exchanged their learning experiences with each other, and most importantly, maintained their physical well-being by having proper exercise, diet, and rest, while avoiding excessive fatigue and anxiety.

Chairperson Tai-Chu Peng of the Department of Nursing pointed out that students have voluntarily formed study groups to help each other. They set their schedules, reviewing their weakest subjects and conducting practice tests. Faculty members often cared about each student’s physical and mental well-being and clarified doubts about exam questions. Some faculty members even voluntarily offered additional lessons to remind students of the critical points. In addition to this, the school provided relaxed and comfortable spaces for students to prepare for their exams. Chairperson Peng is thankful that the Tzu Chi affiliates in charity, healthcare, education, and humanistic culture provide many learning opportunities for her students and offer job opportunities for them to apply what they have learned in a clinical environment after obtaining their licenses, becoming professionals who embody both professionalism and humanism.

Chairperson of the Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine Program I-Hsin Lin, stated that guidance and precious experience were passed down from faculty members and students’ seniors. Secondly, the University provides a suitable environment for learning. Additionally, the instructional materials covered many parts of the licensure exam. These allowed students to face the exams with ease. The University’s humanistic environment was also a key factor. For example, the Silent Mentor Program inspired students to become humble, empathetic, and to learn more enthusiastically.

Dean Trung-Ying Chen of the School of Medicine stated that Tzu Chi University is the only University in eastern Taiwan with a medical school, and its education is characterized by a combination of professionalism and humanities. Obtaining certification is a demonstration of professional competence. He thanked Tzu Chi Medical Foundation for providing students with internships and employment opportunities. Professor Chen was grateful to Tzu Chi members worldwide for their support, allowing students at Tzu Chi University abundant learning resources. Students are well-prepared to face their licensure exams and workplace challenges. The students’ outstanding performance in licensure exams and the workplace have lived up to everyone’s expectations of Tzu Chi University.