Commencement 2023: Five questions with NUS Nursing graduates

NUS Nursing graduating cohort will have their Commencement Ceremony in a few days. Three graduates from the Class of 2023 talk about their journeys and aspirations.

Muhammad Luqman Bin Abdul Rahman

Muhammad Luqman Bin Abdul Rahman, 24, is not only a fresh graduate from NUS Nursing Class of 2023, he also became an entrepreneur while in the course of study. Luqman shares how he did it.

Muhammad Luqman is a graduate from the NUS Nursing Class of 2023.

1. Why did you choose to go into Nursing?

In secondary school, I learnt first aid through a course, and was blessed to have met my instructor turned buddy, who also happened to be a nurse. He inspired me greatly through his experiences and I was also inspired by what he could do with the knowledge he acquired from being a nurse.

Since then, I’ve developed an interest in healthcare. I was studying in the Science stream at junior college. I initially planned to take up a Nursing diploma after the ‘O’ Levels but was advised by my teachers to do it at the university instead. Hence, I applied for NUS Nursing and thankfully, I managed to get into the course.

Another incident which inspired me was that a few years back, my late grandmother fell sick, and I had to take care of her. I was clueless about the procedures she had to undergo and felt lost because I did not know how to best care for her, despite already working part time in an ambulance company. This gave me the last push to finally decide that it was necessary for me to lay the foundation through a Nursing degree before I pursue my passion in healthcare.

2. We understand that you started a business with your family while studying at NUS Nursing. How did you become an entrepreneur at a young age of 21?

I’ve been working for multiple private ambulance companies since many years back. In the course of working, I noticed that there were gaps in the industry and saw the opportunity to fill the gaps. This was when I decided to start a private ambulance service company with my family by making the ambulance service affordable and accessible to the public. I also named the company with my late grandmother’s initials – DRS Medic, as a tribute to her, who was my greatest inspiration and made me who I am today.

Luqman started a private ambulance service company with his family while he was studying at NUS Nursing.

3. Sounds like you had a busy life managing both your studies and work. How did you do it?

It was tough, to say the least. I can still remember how exhausting it was to ensure that the operations do not get affected while I was away in school! This included the answering of phone calls, making contingency plans (from A to Z), and even covering for people who call in sick at the last minute. But the feeling at the end of every single long stretch will always be the same—it is always worth it because you get to see how you have impacted lives directly through the knowledge you have gained from school.

And for this very reason, I continue to push on despite the struggle.

4. What will you be doing after graduation?

I am blessed to have very supportive parents who are helping to manage the business currently. I am currently working as a Paramedic Officer at the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) as I am eager to gain as much experience as I can while I’m still young. I plan to stay in the pre-hospital care industry and look forward to putting my Nursing knowledge to good use.

Jessalyn Soh

Jessalyn Soh, a 28 year-old graduate from the Class 2023, shared with us her unconventional journey leading up to achieving her degree at NUS Nursing.

Jessalyn Soh is a NUS Nursing graduate from the Class of 2023.

Her journey started on an unconventional pathway where she first pursued her studies for higher Nitec in Banking back in 2014. After completing the ITE education, her interest sparked in a vastly different domain—the Nursing industry. Jessalyn shares with us her journey in this interview.

1. Can you share more about the route you took before getting into NUS Nursing?

It was an interesting academic route. In 2014, I enrolled myself for the Higher Nitec in Banking course. After the completion of my ITE education, I started having an interest in a vastly different domain—the Nursing industry.

I set my mind to reading Nursing. Unfortunately, I was unable to fulfil the pre-requisites for a Nursing course at thepolytechnic . But I was determined and chose to take the related Health Service Management course at the Republic Polytechnic and later enrolled myself into NUS Nursing, after putting in much effort in my Polytechnic studies. Although it took me five years to finally embark on my Nursing journey, this was indeed the start of a dream come true which I was very excited about!

Jessalyn Soh graduated from the ITE in 2017 and went on to the polytechnic before joining NUS Nursing in 2020.

2. What are some of the challenges in the journey from ITE to NUS Nursing? How do you feel about them?

One of the challenges I faced was that I took many different routes before landing on my ideal career path. Making the switch in my education journey from banking at the ITE to Health Service Management at the polytechnic meant I had a very steep learning curve. However, I was extremely determined to excel because I was dead set on pursuing Nursing at NUS Nursing. It was definitely not easy and there were days when I struggled with my own personal battles of self-doubt, but I was glad I had my family to rely on for support.

Also, being a 25-year-old student, compared my much younger peers, left me feeling very intimidated. Thankfully, I found friendships that gave me the strength and courage not to give up. I am grateful for the supportive and encouraging friends that helped me to push through!

My teachers from the polytechnic were also very supportive and provided practical advice and guidance throughout my learning journey. One of the doctors whom I assisted during my internship days also encouraged and offered practical support.

I also received the MOH Holdings (MOHH) scholarship that aided me financially in my studies at NUS Nursing.

Overall, it was certainly a tough journey, but it was all worth it as I have now fulfilled my dream.

3. What made you choose Nursing?

Countless reasons!

My mother is my main inspiration in this entire journey. She has been a nurse for over 40 years and her years of dedication and professionalism really inspired me! Even at the age of 60, she furthered her education and achieved a Specialist Diploma in Gerontology.

A few years back, my grandmother was admitted to the hospital. During my visits, I witnessed how the nurses showed genuine care and concern to her, and in many conversations, she would also often share about how proud she is of my mother being a nurse.

When I was studying at the polytechnic, I interned as a doctor’s assistant where I was responsible to cater the many needs of the patients, some of which required immediate attention.

I found great fulfilment, gratitude and joy knowing that I had the privilege to help someone and possibly make a difference in a person’s life. Despite the physically and emotionally demanding role, I find joy in being a source of strength and support to people of all ages, especially the elderly.

4. What are some of your aspirations when it comes to Nursing?

My dream is to be a nurse educator one day—where I can guide and train a generation of nurses, inspiring them to find fulfilment in making a difference in people’s lives. I want to inspire them to treasure the privilege of being a nurse where they can truly care for patients in their darkest moments and be the spark of light for them.

5. Where will you be working at after graduation?

I will be working as a Staff Nurse at the National University of Hospital.

Leong Yong Fei

Would you think of a career switch when you are close to 60 years old? Leong Yong Fei, 61, a graduate from the NUS Nursing Class of 2023, took the plunge when he was 59 years old. Find out more about his motivation and challenges in doing this.

Leong Yong Fei is a NUS Nursing graduate from the Class of 2023.

Leong Yong Fei enrolled as student under the Career Conversion Programme for Registered Nurses (CCP-RN) (Degree) at NUS Nursing in 2020. He is 61 years old this year and has two children aged 31 and 26. He is the oldest student from the CCP-RN course since the course started in 2018.

1. Why did you make a career switch at the age of 59?

Before signing up for the course, I was taking a one-year break from the corporate world as I was feeling drained from the work demands. One day, as I was scrolling my Facebook feed, I saw the advertisement for the CCP programme by the Ministry of Health and Workforce SG. I was inspired to sign up for it as I wanted to give back to the society after seeing the medical workers contributing to fight Covid-19 at that time.

2. Out of so many mid-career switch career options, why did you choose Nursing?

I chose Nursing as I was a medic while in the army and I was confident that the skills I have would be useful in my pursuit of the degree. To me, Nursing is a meaningful career option as you get rewarded with a sense of satisfaction from taking care of people, in addition to the monthly salaries which all jobs give.

3. Do you see yourself a lifelong learner?

Yes, I’ve always had a zest in pursuing deeper knowledge and education. I joined the banking sector since graduating from NUS in 1988 with a Double Major degree in Economics and Mathematics. I subsequently went back to NUS to get a degree in Real Estate in 2010. Hence, joining the CCP programme is a way for me to continue my lifelong learning journey with a meaningful career, and also to keep myself active and healthy!

4. Did you face any challenges in the course of study?

Of course, in fact, there were many obstacles.

It had been a while since I left school and picked up studying again. It was a little challenging to get the rusty engine started but thanks to the supportive lecturers and classmates, I managed to get on track quite quickly.

Not to mention, I was oldest in the class (older than some of the lecturers) and many of my classmates were of similar age as my children!

The medical procedures have also advanced since my time as a medic in the army. Although some of them were new to me, it was still an eye-opener for me to learn new skills and pick up up-to-date clinical knowledge.

5. Where will you be working at after graduation?

I will be a Staff Nurse at the Outram Community Hospital.

Read more about their stories published in NUS News here.