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Singapore Bangkok Hong Kong Japan
Singapore Hong-Kong Japan After the tremendous success of the First World Conference of Operating Room Nurses in Manila, the 185 OR nurses on the International Symposium wondered what could top the excitement of mingling with over 1,100 nurses from foreign countries. But there were many more treats in store for us. Arriving in Singapore, the group was divided into four sections to visit local hospitalsSingapore General, Tan Tock Sing, Toa Payah, and Kandang, a maternity hospital. When AORN nurses visit hospitals in foreign countries, they realize problems facing nurses are similar worldwide. In Singapore, nursing education is parallel to that in the United States. There are four-year baccalaureate programs as well as three-year diploma schools. In addition, there are many schools for midwifery. This is a six-month course taken after basic nursing education. Singapore, a city-state and crossroads of the Far East, surprised us with its modern high-rise buildings and cleanliness. From the top of Mt Faber, we had a breathtakingview of the strategic Straits of Malacca, the South China Sea, and the city. Our bus tour took us next to the Tiger Balm Gardens with its sculptures and dioramas. A stop at the Botanic Gardens and the House of Jade concluded the sightseeing tour. After lunch, we joined about 100 Singapore nurses for a seminar at the hotel. Nursing education and nursing practice were discussed
from two perspectives. From the United States, Helen Bolognesi of Greeley, Colo, talked about nursing education and Barba Edwards of Omaha discussed nursing practice. From Singapore, Betty Lim, clinical instructor at the Singapore Hospital School of Nursing, spoke on nursing education and Maureen Chua, chief nursing officer, discussed nursing practice. Singapore nurses were eager to converse one-on-one with AORN members. After a lively question-and-answer period, the president of the Singapore Nurses Association presented pewter mugs to AORN President Jean Davis and Executive Director Jerry Peers. As we departed from Singapore, nurses on one of the buses were privileged to see a fire walk as part of a procession for Thimithi, the Hindu festival in honor of the goddess DrobaDevis. Our next stop was Bangkok, a city of surprises. The people were warm and friendly and genuinely interested in Americans. On our hospital visits, we saw that the nurses have a tremendous desire to give their patients the best care within their capabilitiesand the materials available to them. With time again for sightseeing, we visited the Grand Palace with its unique architecture of spires and curved, golden gables. In the Wat Phrakaeo, Chapel of the Emerald Buddha, we saw the legendary Emerald Buddha, a 31-inch tall figure of emerald-coloredjasper. Although
AORN Journal, February 1979, Vol29, No 3
507
we had some misgiving about removing our shoes before entering the temple as is the custom, this procedure soon became quite natural after a few visits to temples. One of the most interesting experiences in Bangkok was the motor launch tour of the Chi0 Phraya River and theklongs or canals. As we rode the waterways, which are the streets of the river people, we marveled at their way of life. It is hard to imagine not having solid ground to step on when you leave home. Travel is by boat. Childrenplay on small, docklike porches. Clothes and dishes are washed in the river or canal as are teeth and bodies. We stopped at the Temple of Dawn, or Wat Arun, located on the banks of the river and distinguished by its five tall prangs or spires. We went on to Hong Kong, a city of hustle and bustlewith crowdsand shops everywhere. Our city tour included a cable car ride to the top of Victoria Peak for a breathtakingview of the Hong Kong Harbor, Kowloon, and the South China Sea. The sightseeing tour included a visit to Repulse Bay and Aberdeen, where the boat people are born, live, and die on their fishingjunks. On our tour of the New Territories the next day, we saw Shek Kip Mei, government high-rise buildingsfor refugees from Red China. We visited a 600-year-old walled village, Kam Tin, and then had a glimpse of Red China from the border. For the seminar we were joined by nurses from the Hong Kong Nurses Association for an afternoon discussion of a variety of topics pertaining to the OR. The next morning we visited several Hong Kong hospitals. At this point in the tour, part of the group returnedto the United States and 122 went on to Japan. In Kyoto, we visited the Golden Pavilion, the old Imperial Palace, and the city of Nara with the Kasuga Shrine. We were enchanted by the flowing beauty of the women in their kimonos. The Japanese gardens provided a quiet time for reflection and meditation. The seminar and hospital visits were interesting, but even though we had interpreters, language was a barrier. We saw that a prime concern of the Japanese nurses is to improve nursing education as well as nursing care. They were interested in AORN as a specialty group and its impact on nursing in the US. They have some concerns as to whether spe-
608
cial nursinggroups will help or hinder the progress of nursing. A much anticipated ride on the “bullet” train took us to Tokyo. En route, we were fortunate to see Mount Fuji, which only infrequently appears from behind the clouds. In Tokyo, we visited the Meiji Shrine on a national holiday and saw Japanese women in the elegant kimonos and older men dressed in gray-striped trousers, cutaway jackets, and top hats. On this day, small girls are taken to the temple to be blessed. They too were dressed in beautiful kimonos. The elegant party given for us by the Japanese Nursing Association was an unforgettable event. There were gifts for all and a superb buffet. We were entertained by the Japanese nurses. One performed the tea ceremony, a ritual for special occasions. Eight played the koto, a traditional eight-stringedinstrument. Two nurses individually performed traditional Japanese dances. Both were dressed in beautiful kimonos and the stories they told were favorites in the dance art. The Japanese nurses showed us the intricacies of dressing in the kimono. Among the hosts and hostesses were friends who have attended Congresses. Sumiko lihama, Utako Kubota, and Hiroyoshi Kobayshi, MD, a leading cardiovascular surgeon from the University of Tokyo Hospital Surgical Center, were there as well as other surgeons, government representatives, and industry representatives. Dr Kobayshi led the group in the Japanese version of the conga line. It was a highlight of the evening. As we left Japan for home, we encouraged the Japanese nurses to visit us in America. We told them, AORN will be omachi shite orirnasu-waiting for you.
Caroline Rogers, RN Director of membership
Editor’s note: The First World Conference of Operating Room Nursestook place in Manila, the Philippines, Oct 17 to 20. The International Symposium followed the World Conference, with travelers returningOct 29 from Hong Kong or Nov 5 from Japan.
AORN Journal, February 1979, Vol29, No 3
from two perspectives. From the United States, Helen Bolognesi of Greeley, Colo, talked about nursing education and Barba Edwards of Omaha discussed nursing practice. From Singapore, Betty Lim, clinical instructor at the Singapore Hospital School of Nursing, spoke on nursing education and Maureen Chua, chief nursing officer, discussed nursing practice. Singapore nurses were eager to converse one-on-one with AORN members. After a lively question-and-answer period, the president of the Singapore Nurses Association presented pewter mugs to AORN President Jean Davis and Executive Director Jerry Peers. As we departed from Singapore, nurses on one of the buses were privileged to see a fire walk as part of a procession for Thimithi, the Hindu festival in honor of the goddess DrobaDevis. Our next stop was Bangkok, a city of surprises. The people were warm and friendly and genuinely interested in Americans. On our hospital visits, we saw that the nurses have a tremendous desire to give their patients the best care within their capabilitiesand the materials available to them. With time again for sightseeing, we visited the Grand Palace with its unique architecture of spires and curved, golden gables. In the Wat Phrakaeo, Chapel of the Emerald Buddha, we saw the legendary Emerald Buddha, a 31-inch tall figure of emerald-coloredjasper. Although
AORN Journal, February 1979, Vol29, No 3
507
we had some misgiving about removing our shoes before entering the temple as is the custom, this procedure soon became quite natural after a few visits to temples. One of the most interesting experiences in Bangkok was the motor launch tour of the Chi0 Phraya River and theklongs or canals. As we rode the waterways, which are the streets of the river people, we marveled at their way of life. It is hard to imagine not having solid ground to step on when you leave home. Travel is by boat. Childrenplay on small, docklike porches. Clothes and dishes are washed in the river or canal as are teeth and bodies. We stopped at the Temple of Dawn, or Wat Arun, located on the banks of the river and distinguished by its five tall prangs or spires. We went on to Hong Kong, a city of hustle and bustlewith crowdsand shops everywhere. Our city tour included a cable car ride to the top of Victoria Peak for a breathtakingview of the Hong Kong Harbor, Kowloon, and the South China Sea. The sightseeing tour included a visit to Repulse Bay and Aberdeen, where the boat people are born, live, and die on their fishingjunks. On our tour of the New Territories the next day, we saw Shek Kip Mei, government high-rise buildingsfor refugees from Red China. We visited a 600-year-old walled village, Kam Tin, and then had a glimpse of Red China from the border. For the seminar we were joined by nurses from the Hong Kong Nurses Association for an afternoon discussion of a variety of topics pertaining to the OR. The next morning we visited several Hong Kong hospitals. At this point in the tour, part of the group returnedto the United States and 122 went on to Japan. In Kyoto, we visited the Golden Pavilion, the old Imperial Palace, and the city of Nara with the Kasuga Shrine. We were enchanted by the flowing beauty of the women in their kimonos. The Japanese gardens provided a quiet time for reflection and meditation. The seminar and hospital visits were interesting, but even though we had interpreters, language was a barrier. We saw that a prime concern of the Japanese nurses is to improve nursing education as well as nursing care. They were interested in AORN as a specialty group and its impact on nursing in the US. They have some concerns as to whether spe-
608
cial nursinggroups will help or hinder the progress of nursing. A much anticipated ride on the “bullet” train took us to Tokyo. En route, we were fortunate to see Mount Fuji, which only infrequently appears from behind the clouds. In Tokyo, we visited the Meiji Shrine on a national holiday and saw Japanese women in the elegant kimonos and older men dressed in gray-striped trousers, cutaway jackets, and top hats. On this day, small girls are taken to the temple to be blessed. They too were dressed in beautiful kimonos. The elegant party given for us by the Japanese Nursing Association was an unforgettable event. There were gifts for all and a superb buffet. We were entertained by the Japanese nurses. One performed the tea ceremony, a ritual for special occasions. Eight played the koto, a traditional eight-stringedinstrument. Two nurses individually performed traditional Japanese dances. Both were dressed in beautiful kimonos and the stories they told were favorites in the dance art. The Japanese nurses showed us the intricacies of dressing in the kimono. Among the hosts and hostesses were friends who have attended Congresses. Sumiko lihama, Utako Kubota, and Hiroyoshi Kobayshi, MD, a leading cardiovascular surgeon from the University of Tokyo Hospital Surgical Center, were there as well as other surgeons, government representatives, and industry representatives. Dr Kobayshi led the group in the Japanese version of the conga line. It was a highlight of the evening. As we left Japan for home, we encouraged the Japanese nurses to visit us in America. We told them, AORN will be omachi shite orirnasu-waiting for you.
Caroline Rogers, RN Director of membership
Editor’s note: The First World Conference of Operating Room Nursestook place in Manila, the Philippines, Oct 17 to 20. The International Symposium followed the World Conference, with travelers returningOct 29 from Hong Kong or Nov 5 from Japan.
AORN Journal, February 1979, Vol29, No 3