The making of a servant leader

At NUS, Amanda Lim’s service as the president of the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine’s official student body, MedNurse, showed her the type of leader she wants to be: “a servant leader, who loves to serve and care for my community,” she said.

It was the joy of serving, combined with her love for the more medical side of healthcare, that prompted the trained optometrist to make the switch from allied health to Nursing, a year after working in a specialist eye clinic.

Through a number of leadership roles at the School of Medicine – including stewarding interprofessional bonding at MedNurse, and championing Medical and Nursing students’ concerns before administrative leadership at NUSSU (NUS Students’ Union), Amanda found opportunities to interact meaningfully with student leaders from faculties across the University.

“I found tremendous inspiration and energy from hearing their visions for change,” she said. “It turned me from an ordinary freshman to an active and engaged leader with the ability to advocate for students on issues from welfare to how to creatively foster a strong sense of community and raise morale among peers amid COVID-19,” she said.

COVID-19 was a huge challenge for her during her tenure as many of the events she hoped to orchestrate had to be cancelled, but she was glad to have represented the hopes and wishes of students on how they wished to celebrate graduation, orientation, and other milestone events that were disrupted by the pandemic.

Amanda envisions continuing her advocacy role as she starts a career in emergency nursing at Sengkang General Hospital.

“Being a student leader has allowed me to collaborate with faculty and administration to make lasting changes that will meaningfully benefit our current and future students.

“I would like to continue this personal goal throughout my career by speaking up for my patients, and continuously innovating care that has the potential to improve their lives.”

What’s your most exciting accomplishment at NUS?

I volunteered with the NUHS Mobile Serology Unit as a phlebotomist during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in June last year. Although it was a time fraught with uncertainty and concern for the safety of my family, I couldn’t sit back knowing that help was needed. The hot weather and having to wear multiple layers of personal protective equipment made the job very challenging, but it was an invaluable experience as I got to contribute directly to the nation’s efforts in fighting the pandemic.

What was something you didn’t expect about studying Nursing?

It’s a common misconception that nurses just follow and carry out doctors’ orders or those of the multidisciplinary team. Over the past four years, I’ve learnt that good nurses should be able to care for patients holistically, encompassing the biopsychosocial and even the spiritual realm. As the saying goes, “A nurse dispenses comfort, compassion, and care without the need for a prescription.” Nursing is truly an art and a science.

Give us a tip for academic success at NUS.

Be consistent. Many students (myself included) tend to leave things to the very last minute. Then we rush to the finish line by burning the midnight oil, while stressing out on things that can’t be perfected. So try to take small steps towards your goal each day. Tasks will become more manageable, and you won’t have to place unattainable expectations on yourself or sacrifice sleep (and health) to achieve your goals. 

This is applicable as we begin our careers in a tough job like nursing. The road ahead will be long and arduous. Take consistent steps of improvement towards being more competent versions of ourselves, and don’t hold expectations of becoming proficient nurses overnight. 

How do your friends describe you?

A friend wrote this about me:

“Amanda is affable, and her charming disposition easily attracts people. She is considerate and sympathetic towards others, and always does and says things with the other party’s interests in mind. She is also a generous and giving person, who sometimes tries her best to help even at the expense of herself. She’s a bright, self-disciplined and organised person. She makes sure she gets her work done on time, accepting nothing less than perfection. Lastly, behind that studious front, she’s very witty and humorous, which makes being with her all the more fun!”