My Learning Experience at Shizuoka Children's Hospital
From July 14th to September 12th, 2025, I have participated in a short-term advanced training at the Shizuoka Children's Hospital in Japan. This hospital is one of the renowned pediatric medical centers in Japan, well-known for its expertise in treating complex pediatric conditions and providing comprehensive support and care for children. The purpose of my overseas training was to enhance my comprehensive capabilities in pediatric specialized nursing, emergency response, and humanistic care through systematic learning of its advanced nursing management and clinical practices. This experience holds significant implications for my professional growth and the promotion of cross-cultural nursing exchanges.
In terms of specialized nursing, I focused on observing the work of the cardiothoracic surgery team and delved into learning postoperative critical care techniques, such as tracheotomy care, respiratory management after neonatal diaphragmatic hernia and laryngomalacia surgeries, and postoperative monitoring of complex congenital heart diseases. Additionally, I participated in the entire process of receiving critically ill children via helicopter transfer and witnessed several special nursing procedures on-site, including gastrostomy tube replacement, mid-length catheter insertion, and central venous catheter placement via the anterior chest subcutaneous route. These experiences significantly broadened my international perspective.
Furthermore, I took part in the "Disaster Medical Care" practical training, where I experienced firsthand the medical coordination and child safety strategies in the event of natural disasters, gaining a deep understanding of the importance of maintaining medical operations under extreme circumstances. During exchanges with the hospital’s nursing management team, I systematically learned about the hierarchical promotion and training system for nurses in Japan, observed bedside teaching for new nurses, and gained a more concrete understanding of the comprehensive care responsibilities nurses undertake in the 24-hour non-accompaniment model.
What particularly touched me was the hospital's ongoing "Child life" (Child Life Specialist) program. From pre-examination emotional support to reducing children's fear through visits to the operating room and contact with medical equipment, to personalized postoperative companionship, each step seamlessly connects to form a systematic psychological support model throughout the diagnosis and treatment process, fully demonstrating respect and care for the overall physical and mental well-being of children. Additionally, the monthly "Siblings Together" family day activities, which help the siblings of hospitalized children through a "mini-school" format, made me deeply appreciate the healing power of humanistic care in pediatric rehabilitation.
This training has enabled me to more clearly recognize the commonalities and differences in nursing concepts under different medical systems. During the exchanges, I also introduced the achievements of our hospital in terms of clinical scale, diagnostic and therapeutic techniques, and nursing education system, receiving positive feedback and appreciation from Japanese counterparts.
I am sincerely grateful to the Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine for offering me this valuable training opportunity, and I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the Shizuoka Children's Hospital for their thoughtful arrangements and generous sharing during my stay. This experience not only significantly enhanced my professional capabilities, but also allowed me to demonstrate the professional qualities of Chinese nurses in international exchanges. I look forward to integrating what I have learned and reflected upon into my future nursing practice and team management, contributing to the advancement of pediatric nursing in China and enhancing the professional influence of Chinese nursing on the global stage.
Shi Fengshuang,
Head nurse of Thoracic Surgery Dept.
