My four-week elective placement in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in June 2025, generously supported by the Pelican Nurses League was a profound experience. Condensing such a wide-ranging experience into this brief account has been challenging, yet this reflection has deepened my appreciation of my time.
At Thong Nhat Public Hospital, I worked in ED, ENT and Traditional Medicine wards. My role was basic and mainly involved observing, ECG’s and assisting with daily observations. Doctors explained cases in English and I communicated with patients via Google Translate or very basic Vietnamese.
Undeniably, the most memorable aspect was the human connections I forged with patients, doctors, nurses and other students. However simple, such as a short Google Translate conversation, a shared smile or a nod of recognition, I found these interactions to be meaningful.
I recall a particularly challenging day in the ED, where the fast-paced environment and language barrier made it difficult to engage with staff and patients as much as I would have hoped. Feeling a bit adrift and frankly a bit unhelpful, I saw an anxious American girl in her twenties enter with a fever. As the only other fluent English speaker at that moment, I offered to chat in the hope of putting her at ease. We discussed our Vietnamese experience, the intimidation of foreign hospitals, and language difficulties. This unexpected exchange of vulnerabilities comforted us both, acknowledging her situation also allowed me to recognise my own anxieties and this honest sharing of experiences reassured both of us.
A twist of fate saw me on the patient side. I sustained a serious burn and ended up in a Vietnamese ED. Alone and feeling very sorry for myself after a long morning in the burns unit, a simple act of kindness from a woman in the hospital pharmacy made all the difference. She looked over at me, paused for a few seconds, and then offered the sweetest of smiles. I found so much comfort in that small, genuine show of human emotion and recognition of my distress, making me feel less alone and reassuring me that I’d be okay. When the pharmacist called my name, I didn’t hear it, and this same kind woman called out to me, ensuring I was seen. That simple act of kindness has stuck with me ever since.
This elective has reminded me of the impact of human connection and the importance of simple kindness in nursing practice. Sometimes I find myself getting caught up in the technical and clinical aspects of care and nursing practice, but my experience in Vietnam reinforced that true healing needs empathy and connection. Moving forward, this experience will undoubtedly shape my future nursing practice. I will carry with me the understanding that even in the most challenging environments, a simple smile, a moment of recognition, or a shared experience can make a difference to a patient’s well-being. This placement has truly surprised me and deepened my appreciation for the human element at the heart of nursing.
