The 2023 TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program students were selected

The ten 8th cohort students of the 2023 TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program and two mentors were selected from many applicants. Participants were a diverse group, spanning the country from Tohoku, Kanto, Kansai, and Shikoku, with different school years and experiences.

The U.S. training program, which had to be held online due to COVID-19, has been returned for the first time in four years, making it possible for participants to travel to the U.S. for training, and a new study tour to Awaji Island is also scheduled as a new visit to the disaster-affected area.

The three-part structure of the program will remain unchanged, with pre-training taking place from June to July, and the U.S. training in August will be conducted in cooperation with a U.S. organization. After returning to Japan, a post-training session will be held in September, and a final debriefing session will be held in December, where students will present the results of the program.

Please click here to view participant profiles. (Profiles are in Japanese.)

Upon the selection of participants, an orientation for the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program was held on May 28.

It began with an Introduction of the staff and the roles and names of the staff members responsible for running and supporting the program. Then, all participants introduced themselves, and as part of their self-introduction, they drew pictures of their favorite things and hobbies and presented them to the group.

The program’s training details and schedules were explained, giving participants a general overview of the program. Seventh cohort student Rina Iwanaga took part in the orientation as an Alumni representative. Ms. Iwanaga shared two tips she gained from this program experience last year. Clarify goals by preparing and reviewing, and do not lose the original purpose. And to actively participate in order to cooperate with other members of different ages and experiences.

As the program begin soon, the 8th cohort students asked Mr. Iwanaga questions about the program, and she carefully answered the participants’ questions and concerns. In explaining the challenges during the program, she talked about how past participants set goals, how they grew through the program and approached their goals, or created new ones in terms of how to set goals.

Lastly, a mentor-mentee group session was held. Each group moved to the online breakout room to meet each other and discuss how to contact each other and the group. Participants gained a more concrete understanding of program content and what to prepare for.