High-tech tools take Thai nursing education to next level

Bangkok Post

19 hours ago

Advanced technology combined with human-centred care are helping to equip future nurses with the skills needed for modern challenges, in a new programme at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) in Bangkok.
The new Innovative Nursing major was approved in January and started in March. At a time when an ageing society in Thailand is placing more demands on the healthcare system, the programme aims to address a shortage of nurses.
The national average is one nurse for every 316 people, and in some rural areas, the ratio is one for every 500. With more elderly patients and complex health conditions, the need for skilled and forward-thinking nurses is more urgent than ever.
Asst Prof Buhnga Tanopas, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Nursing, introduced the programme with a clear message.
'We are not just producing nurses. We are nurturing healthcare innovators. Our students will use advanced tools like AI to become professionals who can adapt and lead in any environment,' she said.
What makes the Innovative Nursing major unique, she said, is its hands-on and high-tech learning environment.
Students will be trained in simulation labs that mirror real hospital settings. They practise with lifelike mannequins such as SimMan, SimBaby and SimMom. Each mannequin costs over one million baht and helps students learn how to handle many medical situations before they work with real patients.
The programme also uses Virtual Reality (VR) to take learning even further. Students can explore complex scenarios in a fully immersive environment. VR allows them to repeat procedures, sharpen their decision-making and understand situations they may not face often in real life. These tools help students gain deep understanding and confidence.
Alongside technical training, the curriculum focuses on problem-solving and soft skills. Students learn to think creatively and come up with solutions for both individual patients and broader health issues.
Communication and emotional intelligence are key parts of the programme. The goal is to create nurses who can listen, adapt and connect with their patients, said Ms Buhnga.
She shared a story from one class in which one of the students was crying after not being able to keep the simulated patient alive. She told the professor that she genuinely felt she must strive to be better at the job in order to provide care the patient deserved when she's in a real field of work.
KMITL also prepares students for international careers. The programme offers opportunities for exchanges and real-world observations abroad. It teaches students to use electronic health systems and promotes lifelong learning. With training in entrepreneurship, students may also choose to start their own wellness businesses in the future.
Students also work with other faculties at KMITL. By learning from fields like engineering, design and computer science, they can develop new ideas for improving healthcare.
The programme includes internships in public hospitals and wellness centres. Students also learn from active professionals who visit the classroom to share their experience and insights.
KMITL's Innovative Nursing major is built on the values of Compassion, Integrity, Curiosity and Innovation. It offers students the tools and mindset needed for the future. These future nurses will be ready to care, lead and make a real difference in the world.