Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) College of Nursing (Dean Hye‑Young Kim) announced on the 9th that it operated the 'JBNU-UMN Nursing Glocal PBL' program, which visited local U.S. medical and educational institutions to explore the intersection of nursing and advanced technologies and to enhance global problem‑solving capabilities.

Nine undergraduate students from the Department of Nursing traveled to Minnesota during the break to conduct problem‑based learning (PBL) that linked AI and digital health technologies to nursing practice and sought solutions to problems arising in clinical settings.

After preparatory study, the students visited the University of Minnesota, Hennepin Healthcare, and Mayo Clinic to examine the U.S. healthcare system, nursing education, and cases of digital technology application.

At Hennepin Healthcare, they toured the Hennepin History Museum and the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) to learn about the history of U.S. medicine and nursing and onsite operational practices. They observed medical devices that enhance patient safety and work efficiency, such as functional beds that adjust patient positioning and ceiling‑mounted equipment that aids patient transfer, and discussed with local clinicians the methods of technology use and challenges for nursing innovation.

Student Hye‑Min Lee (third‑year, Department of Nursing) said, 'Seeing similar AI‑based nursing technologies used in the U.S. made me realize that these technologies can be applied clinically. It also made me hopeful about the development and potential use of such technologies in Korea.'

At the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, they experienced nursing education cases using digital technologies through a simulation practice space that replicates real home environments and VR‑based training.

A lecture by a local advanced practice nurse also examined a new primary care model addressing issues of healthcare access, cost, and clinician burnout. The model represented a shift from disease‑centered treatment to prevention and health promotion through ample one‑on‑one consultations with patients, individualized health management, and continuous follow‑up.

The students confirmed that supporting patient self‑management can lead to improved health, reduced use of unnecessary medical services, and reduced workload for healthcare staff. They also learned that workload intensity should be assessed not solely by nurse‑to‑patient ratios but by considering patient acuity and the scope of nursing care.

At Mayo Clinic, they observed innovative cases across clinical care, education, and research. Examples were presented of how AI‑based administrative automation and patient data management systems support nurses to focus on patient care while nurses serve as patient advocates, educators, problem solvers, and change leaders.

Student Min‑Ji Hwang (third‑year, Department of Nursing) said, 'Understanding how advanced technologies change the lives of patients and healthcare professionals broadened my perspective on the global healthcare environment.' Student Yae‑Eun Kim (third‑year, Department of Nursing) also said, 'Comparing the Korean and U.S. healthcare environments and nursing practices provided an opportunity to reflect on the direction Korean nursing should take.'

The JBNU College of Nursing explained that the program went beyond experiencing the U.S. healthcare system and nursing education; it was a process of seeking the intersection between technology and nursing based on problems identified in the field. The experiences and ideas gained during this training are expected to lead to future learning and research in AI and digital health.