For most students, their entire academic journey from enrolment to commencement ceremony and graduation would have seemed like an obvious progression – a tried-and-tested track ran by many before them.
And then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Graduating NUS students from the 2020 cohort saw their commencement ceremony cancelled due to measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, instead marking the culmination of their journey at the school with virtual ceremonies in mid-2021.
But as the world emerges post-pandemic, NUS announced that in-person commencement ceremonies would resume in October 2021.
Then valedictorian from the English Literature Class Justin Goh noted in 2021 that the pandemic “separated us from one another like never before” but also “also taught us what it means and how important it is to be there for one another during times of difficulty and change”.
For the 13,975 graduates throughout 28 in-person Commencement ceremonies, this rang true – especially for Mr Teo Neil Russell, who obtained a Bachelor of Science (Nursing) with Honours (Highest Distinction).
As a child, Mr Teo was always interested in healthcare, although he was unsure which aspect he wanted to explore.
But when his mother suffered a stroke, he witnessed first-hand what nursing truly was.
“From how they cared for my mother to how they allayed our concern and worries, then and there, I knew what I wanted to be and what I wanted to do,” he said.
The nurses who aided his mother went “above and beyond”, extending their care towards his family as well, which Mr Teo described as “genuine and from the heart”.
“Having experienced such kind care from nurses, I too seek to uphold the standard and pass on the good deed,” he said.
“To me, the opportunity to help others and see them recover is a privilege and motivation that keeps me going.”
Mr Teo hopes to receive sponsorship to further his studies, and to pass it on and raise the next generation of nurses.
Memorable commencement
Ms Lua Ser Ning says she was thrilled to hear the commencement ceremony was going to be held in person.
“While many events held over the past two years were virtual, commencement was a big milestone for many of us,” she says.
“Celebrating this commencement ceremony in person and walking across the stage with cheers from our families and friends, would definitely be more memorable compared to sitting behind a screen.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has only strengthened her resolve – she says she has “never felt prouder or more appreciated as a nurse”, with the commencement ceremony serving as a reminder and celebration of their blood, sweat and tears sacrificed for the profession.
Mr Samuel Wong shares a similar experience – the death of his grandfather inspired him to study medicine so he could care for his family if they fell ill.
However, pursuing his nursing journey in Singapore did not come easy – following a rocky start in a medicine course in Malaysia, he faced a financial crisis. When he applied for the degree, he had only worked for a year and had to continue working part-time at a vaccination centre to supplement his school fees.
But Mr Wong said his passion for nursing only grew and his resolve strengthened the further he walked on the path he had chosen. He eventually became the top student among the first Bachelor of Science (Nursing Practice) (Part-time) cohort, receiving the Lim Siew Foong Nursing Excellence Prize.
Now a Staff Nurse at Institute of Mental Health (IMH), Mr Wong champions mental health and has embarked on his pursuit of an Advanced Diploma in Mental Health, with hopes of returning to NUS Nursing for the Master of Nursing course.
“Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses. We must be learning all our lives,” said valedictorian Benedict Choong during his Commencement speech, quoting Florence Nightingale.
Mr Choong, who received his Bachelor of Science (Nursing) with Honours (Highest Distinction) this year, reminded his fellow graduates to face obstacles with courage and fortitude.
“As we celebrate the end of our undergraduate journeys today, let us remember how our journeys as nurses have just begun,” he said.
“Let us grow not just for the betterment of our patients, but for ours as well.”
In his speech, Mr Choong also noted that the root word of nurse was “nourish”.
“Let us all, as nurses, grow to become the vessel leading towards recovery for the people we serve, while not losing sight of what anchors us to what we do.”
