Stories from our Nurses

Toh Zheng An (Staff Nurse, Critical Care)

​My career aspirations were greatly influenced by my mother's cancer diagnosis. During her hospital visits, I was inspired by the dedication and expertise of the nurses. Their pivotal role in times of vulnerability ignited my interest in nursing. I was awarded a Nursing scholarship, which motivated me to excel academically and clinically to provide the best care for patients. I chose NUH for its strong focus on research, aligning with my interests. The affiliation with NUS also facilitated a smooth transition from academics to the clinical area, where I joined the Graduate Nurse Residency Programme (GNRP) upon graduation. Currently, I practise in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), caring for critically ill parents who require haemodynamic or ventilatory support.

A key belief I hold is: "You can't always cure, but you can always care." And importantly, you can't pour from an empty cup—I strongly believe that self-care is important in preparing us to give and serve the patient community.

 

 Adeline Lie (Nurse Manager, Surgery)

​My interest in becoming a nurse began in my teens during my grandmother's hospital visits. My first clinical attachment at NUH as a student nurse left a lasting impression due to the nurturing environment, structure and rigor provided by the hospital. Consequently, NUH was my first choice when I applied for a scholarship and I was heartened to be awarded thereafter.   Following graduation, the GNRP at NUH greatly helped my transition from a student nurse to a professional nurse. The Nursing leaders at NUH have been supportive in providing opportunities for exposure and reframing my understanding of the nursing profession. Their constant support and check-ins ensured I had the necessary assistance.

 

 Tan Min Yuan (Nurse Clinician, Medicine)

As a Nurse Clinician (Advanced Practice Nurse), my role extends beyond ward-based clinical duties. I also manage patients with cognitive impairment in the outpatient setting, mentor junior nurses and lead workgroups to enhance our current care and develop future nursing strategies. My journey into nursing was inspired by a personal experience. At 12 years old, I underwent corrective surgery for scoliosis. While surgeons performed the operation, it was the nurses who nursed me back to health. They encouraged my first steps post-operation and comforted me when I felt my worst. Their reassuring presence during that difficult time inspired me to pursue nursing. From the outset, I wanted to be a Nurse Clinician and an Advanced Practice Nurse.

 

 Ellene Lim (Senior Staff Nurse, Cardiology)

During my university days, I had clinical attachments at NUH. As a student nurse, I was inspired by the dynamic, empowered, and strong-willed nature of NUH nurses, which sparked my interest in nursing. Learning that NUH is the only hospital that offers GNRP further fueled my interest to join the hospital. My aspiration is to become a Nurse Researcher. I am fascinated by the prospect of generating novel ideas at the bedside and staying abreast of clinical knowledge. To achieve this, I have focused on refining my skills in critical care nursing while facilitating evidence-based nursing research projects. At National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), I serve as the chairperson of our evidence-based nursing workgroup, Cardiovascular Evidence-based Nursing Collective (CENC).

 

To my junior colleagues, I offer this advice:  
"Embrace your challenges! Nursing can be demanding, but each challenge is an opportunity for growth. Every obstacle you overcome will forge you into a stronger and more resilient nurse."

 

 Kiren T (Nurse Manager, Paediatrics)

I was initially uncertain if Nursing was the career for me, but everything changed during my student attachments, particularly within the Paediatrics Department in NUH, where my passion for Nursing was truly ignited. Over a decade has passed since then. During this time, I have completed 2 in-house specialisations in Paediatrics Nursing and Paediatrics Critical Care Nursing. These have helped to propel my career trajectory in Nursing, where I am now managing both the Paediatrics Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and the Children’s Emergency. As a young nursing leader in Paediatrics, I take immense pride in leading dynamic teams of nurses who share my unwavering dedication to providing exceptional care to our young patients. We are united by a common vision - it is not just about treating illnesses; but also providing comfort, reassurance, and a sense of security to our young patients and their families during their most vulnerable times.

I have been entrusted with significant hospital-level responsibilities by NUH. One of these key initiatives involved spearheading the establishment of the Covid-19 treatment facility@F1 pit. In my capacity as the nursing lead, I was tasked to identity and retrofit the F1 pit to be prepared for national emergencies, while playing a crucial role in relieving the tight bed situations at acute hospitals during the Covid-19 crisis. I am privileged to be appointed co-chair of NUH’s Pharmacy & Nursing Quality Improvement Committee (PNQIC) that looks at ensuring safe and effective administration of medications across the hospital. These personal milestones were made possible by the unwavering dedication of my nursing mentors, who not only nurtured my confidence and excellence, but also celebrated my triumphs with me.

Over the course of my nursing journey, I have discovered that the most impactful tool a leader could wield is to lead by our personal examples. Each day in NUH brings new experiences, shaping my leadership and nursing journey in ways I will forever cherish.

Just as it has for me, a career in Nursing will open doors of possibilities to you, enabling you to create a positive impact on lives and shape the future of healthcare.