“As a nurse we have the opportunity to heal the mind, soul, heart, and body of our patients, their families, and ourselves. They may forget your name but they will never forget how you made them feel,” — wrote poet Maya Angelou.

The nursing profession is a special one–-nurses hold the key to health and healing and are valued for their strength, tenacity, and compassion. In Singapore, the Ministry of Health Nurses’ Merit Award is presented to nurses in recognition of their outstanding performance and contributions.

Started in 1976, the Nurses’ Merit Award is presented to nurses who have displayed noteworthy and exceptional performance, participated in professional development, and contributed to raising the nursing profession.

As we celebrate three of our alumni from the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS Nursing), as recipients of the Nurses’ Merit Award 2023, we delve into their stories and find out what drives them every day.

The importance of staying on top of adversity
Faiz Mordiffi (Class of 2011), Senior Nurse Manager, Woodlands Health

Tenacity runs in Faiz’s blood, as the former career soldier made the decision to return to the healthcare sector in 2016, five years after his graduation from NUS Nursing.

While it was more common to delve into the clinical aspects of nursing, he followed his heart and from 2019, focused specifically in nursing policy and quality at Woodlands Health. Today, he is a Senior Nurse Manager at Woodlands Health.

According to Faiz, his student life at NUS Nursing was the cornerstone of his career, as it was the place where he shaped his moral and ethical compass that has been guiding him personally and professionally. He also considers NUS Nursing the catalyst for his critical thinking skills.

“My time in NUS Nursing has given me the privilege to network with undergraduates from other professional healthcare fields, such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy, even before I started work in the hospital. Seeing them as friends from school eased the way I communicated with them professionally—an important skill to have when working in healthcare.” 

“I believe no other Nursing school in Singapore has this advantage,” said Faiz.

To Faiz, this award is a tribute to the many teachers, mentors, and colleagues with whom he crossed paths, and still journeying with today. Rather than an individual recognition, he embraces the award as a product of these individuals’ hard work, which speaks volumes of the nurturing culture and environment of NUS Nursing, which encouraged his growth.

Asked for his two cents’ of advice for current nursing students, he cites resilience as a key trait in the profession, “Bouncing back quickly from adversities will help you overcome the many setbacks you will encounter in your life, and help you achieve excellence.”

Life-changing encounter spurred a nursing career
Samantha Wong (Class of 2017), Senior Staff Nurse, Tan Tock Seng Hospital

Six years into her role as a Medical Neurology High Dependency Unit (HDU) nurse in Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), Samantha’s passion still burns bright.

In an HDU, nurses care for patients who are not stable enough to be in a general ward, but are not critical to the extent of requiring care at the intensive care unit. The job is no easy feat, but Samantha’s diligence and affinity for nursing dates back to her final posting before graduation.

During that time, a career-defining moment occurred. Amid routine bedside care, she had her first encounter with death as a nursing student.

As the death was unexpected, she was troubled by the experience. The ward’s nursing officer noticed and sat her down to process her thoughts. Comfort provided by the nursing officer and the professionalism demonstrated by the nurses performing the last office, which prepares a deceased patient for the funeral, inspired her to apply for a job in TTSH. The rest is history.

While no amount of education and training can fully prepare one for first experiences on the job, the NUS Nursing programme has equipped her with the integral knowledge to kickstart her career. She also made close friends through the programme, whom she can count on for solace and advice when the going gets tough.

Receiving the award alongside incredible seniors from different departments and hospitals has been an honour and experience for Samantha, “Explore. Discover your interest. That’s when you will find your passion,” she says.

Embracing Nursing as a lifelong commitment
Zhang Hui Min (Class of 2012), Senior Staff Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse, Medicine, National University Hospital 

Zhang Hui Min, NUS Nursing alumna (Class of 2012), recipient of the Nurses’ Merit Award 2023, standing between Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister of Health, Singapore (left), and Ms Paulin Koh, Chief Nursing Officer, Ministry of Health, Singapore (right).

Hui Min embarked on her journey in Nursing in 2008 when she first entered nursing school. After completing her undergraduate studies at NUS Nursing, her professional path unfolded through diverse roles—from being a ward-based nurse to serving on the front lines of the emergency department. As she explored possible of career avenues, the role of a diabetes specialist nurse emerged as a compelling opportunity, marking a pivotal decision that she has never regretted since.

Recognising Nursing as a lifelong commitment, Hui Min acknowledged the increasing complexity in healthcare and the necessity for continuous learning. As a natural step, she opted for the Masters in Nursing programme at NUS Nursing, which focuses on current healthcare trends and advancements, essential for delivering improved patient care.

Currently, as a broad-based Advanced Practice Nurse at the National University Hospital with a special interest in Endocrinology, she engages in delivering direct patient-centred care in a multi-disciplinary ward, and advocates collaborative decision-making collaboratively with patients at her specialist clinics.

In this capacity, she has developed a deep appreciation of the unique ability of nurses to establish enduring therapeutic relationships with patients, fostering trust, empathy, and effective communication.

A significant highlight of her academic journey with NUS Nursing was the Collaborative Prescribing Programme, leading to her obtaining her prescribing licensure. This credential has significantly elevated her role as an Advanced Practice Nurse, instilling a sense of empowerment and confidence to efficiently manage patients through collaborative agreements.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with mentors whose guidance and unwavering support have been invaluable. Standing on the shoulders of these giants, I am profoundly grateful for the humble acknowledgment with this award, and am inspired to continue contributing to the field with the same passion and commitment,” said Hui Min.