College of Nursing

The Development of Tzu Chi Nursing Education

In 1966, Master Cheng Yen founded the Buddhist Tzu Chi Merit Society, and in 1980, the Tzu Chi Foundation for Charitable Works. Recognizing the lack of medical resources and nursing personnel in the eastern regions of Taiwan, as well as the educational and employment challenges faced by indigenous girls, Master Cheng Yen established the Tzu Chi School of Nursing in 1989. The goal was to cultivate compassionate and skilled nursing professionals to improve the quality of healthcare in the region.

Initially, the school offered a two-year nursing program with 107 students enrolled in its first cohort. In 1990, a day program for a five-year nursing diploma was introduced, followed by the establishment of an evening division in 1992. In light of the geographic and resource challenges in the eastern regions, which particularly affected indigenous girls’ access to education and employment, the Ministry of Education approved the school in 1996 to admit indigenous girls to a dedicated nursing program, offering them a life-changing opportunity.

On August 1, 1999, the Tzu Chi School of Nursing was authorized to transition into “Tzu Chi Institute of Technology.” At this time, the two-year nursing program was discontinued. In 2014, a four-year nursing program was launched, and in 2015, the institution was elevated to “Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology.” Subsequently, the university began offering international programs, including a four-year nursing track for students from Indonesia and a two-year program for international students from the Philippines. The student body, which started with 107 students, grew to over 2,000.

During this time, in 1994, the Tzu Chi Foundation established the Tzu Chi Medical School with the mission of “improving medical standards in the eastern regions, training outstanding healthcare professionals, and enhancing public welfare.” The school was renamed the “Tzu Chi College of Medicine and Humanities” in 1998 and officially became “Tzu Chi University” in August 2000. From the outset, the university offered a master’s program in nursing, becoming the first institution in eastern Taiwan to cultivate advanced nursing professionals. In 1997, a four-year nursing program was also introduced. In response to the shortage of doctors and the need to safeguard patient rights and safety, the university launched a specialized master’s program in nursing in 2009, providing essential clinical nursing specialists for hospitals. In 2021, Tzu Chi University pioneered a public-funded master’s program in Family Nursing for specialized nursing practitioners.

In August 2024, Tzu Chi University and Tzu Chi University of Science and Technology merged, forming a new Tzu Chi University that integrates both liberal arts and technical education. The newly consolidated university offers diverse nursing programs, including five-year, two-year, and four-year tracks (both daytime and evening divisions), as well as a post-bachelor’s nursing program and master’s programs (daytime and in-service options).

Over the past 35 years, under the nurturing influence of Tzu Chi education, nearly 20,000 nursing graduates have entered the workforce, embodying the teachings of Master Cheng Yen by alleviating the suffering and anxiety of patients with love and patience. The university’s motto, “Compassion, Joy, Generosity, and Equanimity,” serves as a high standard for both faculty and students, encapsulating the spirit of selfless dedication and a humanistic care approach. This philosophy is at the core of Tzu Chi Nursing Education. Thus, Tzu Chi University is not only an institution that imparts professional skills but also one that fosters a deep commitment to humanistic care.

Tzu Chi Nursing Education Philosophy

Tzu Chi Nursing Education is deeply influenced by the teachings of Master Cheng Yen and the spirit of Tzu Chi. The philosophy aims to cultivate nursing professionals who are not only technically proficient but also deeply committed to holistic care and humanistic values. The focus is not just on technical skills but also on nurturing cultural literacy and fostering virtuous character.

Balancing Professionalism and Humanism in Education

Tzu Chi Nursing’s educational approach integrates the essence of Tzu Chi’s humanistic spirit across various aspects, including curriculum design, teaching methods, educational resources, and moral education. The curriculum is comprehensive and diverse, with general education courses aimed at enhancing students’ foundational skills and building humanistic values, while professional courses emphasize both career development and the integration of compassionate care.

Abundant Teaching Resources

The educational process places a strong emphasis on hands-on training, encouraging students to consolidate their knowledge through practical experience. This approach enhances their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, enabling them to apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings. To ensure students master excellent nursing skills, the school continually invests in and upgrades campus spaces and teaching facilities to create a professional, safe, and comfortable learning environment. Specialized laboratories, such as Basic Nursing, Internal and External Medicine, Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Health Assessment Labs, are available. In addition, there are innovative spaces like an Integrative Chinese-Western Medicine Nursing Lab, Multifunctional Nursing Classrooms, and an ICU Simulation Room, offering students a flexible and diverse learning experience.

Tzu Chi University also houses the country’s largest Clinical Skills Simulation Center, which opened in 2019. The center, designed to meet national exam standards, includes 16 simulated hospital wards and employs standardized patients and clinical scenario-based teaching, providing students with a comprehensive “hands-on” learning experience. Furthermore, it features a 250-seat international conference hall.

Integration with Tzu Chi Healthcare System to Strengthen the “Theory and Practice” Connection

In addition to theoretical and laboratory courses, the curriculum actively collaborates with various medical institutions, arranging clinical internships that allow students to gain real-world experience and bridge the gap between theory and practice. The Tzu Chi healthcare system, which includes Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital, and Taichung and Dalin Tzu Chi Hospitals, provides a diverse range of learning environments and resources, making it an ideal place for students to study and begin their careers.

Humanistic Care and Character Education

Humanistic care and character development play a central role in Tzu Chi’s educational system. Faculty and staff guide students to become nursing professionals with strong character and excellent skills through teachings by example and in various contexts, such as life education and service-learning courses. This approach helps cultivate empathy and an altruistic worldview centered on compassion. The practice of humanistic education is embedded in formal, informal, and hidden curricula.

The formal curriculum includes compulsory courses like “Tzu Chi Humanism” and a variety of elective courses, such as “Climate and Human Activity,” “The Ocean and Me,” “Tea Ceremony,” and “Flower Arranging.” These courses, through practical activities and volunteer work, encourage students to develop empathy, a sense of responsibility, and social etiquette. In nursing-specific courses, special programs focusing on nursing care and community service learning teach students to care for others while learning to love and care for themselves.

Informal courses consist of various campus and community activities infused with humanistic values, such as cultural events, graduation ceremonies, volunteer services, and community outreach programs. Students participate in volunteer work in indigenous communities, helping improve living conditions, promoting hygiene education, and assisting with academic tutoring. These experiences teach students to approach others with compassion and gratitude, embracing the philosophy of “people-centered” service.

The hidden curriculum is conveyed through daily life education and the school’s environment, which shapes students’ humanistic values and character. Students learn to appreciate the value of simplicity and sustainability by following practices such as wearing uniforms, using personal utensils, and engaging in environmental conservation efforts. The school’s simple yet elegant campus design reflects values of modesty and integrity. Additionally, the “Tzu Cheng Yi De Association,” composed of distinguished Tzu Chi members, interacts with students, guiding them in etiquette, moral ethics, and providing timely care and listening support. This subtle guidance fosters gratitude, respect, and love in students, shaping their character and helping them learn to serve patients with love and patience in their future nursing careers.

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