Nursing students learn about traditional Chinese medicine

Nursing students learn about traditional Chinese medicine on visit to Hong Kong

March 30, 2015

Even in today’s high-tech health care world, future professionals have much to learn from ancient medical practices. That was the takeaway for six Penn State nursing students who recently traveled to Hong Kong to learn about Chinese health care and nursing education.

Through a reciprocal arrangement with The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the College of Nursing sends up to 10 students there each winter for two weeks of studying and sightseeing. In return, 10 CUHK nursing students visit Penn State each year during the fall semester.

One of the trip’s highlights was learning about traditional Chinese medicine, said Pam Lawson, a College of Nursing faculty member who accompanied the students on the trip.

“The nurse practitioner students (at CUHK) demonstrated many forms of Chinese medicine they were studying at the time,” Lawson said. “Several of the Penn State students volunteered to have them practice certain techniques, such as cupping, acupuncture and the use of incense.”

Caitlin Brennan, a nursing major studying at Penn State Hershey, learned about acupuncture and chiropractic care, along with a few techniques not as well known in the West, such as tongue diagnosis.

To continue to read, click here.