Once a teacher for more than 10 years in Singapore, Pham Hai Yen’s journey into nursing began with loss, compassion, and a rediscovery of purpose. Today, as a staff nurse at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), she reflects on her transformation through NUS Nursing’s Career Conversion Programme — and how caring for others has become both her profession and passion.

Hai Yen (Class of 2023) spent 10 years as a school teacher before starting the Career Conversion Programme in 2021.

For more than a decade, Hai Yen nurtured young minds as a teacher. But a series of deeply personal experiences — caring for loved ones with terminal illnesses — reignited a childhood dream she once set aside: to become a nurse. In this interview, she shares how her path from education to healthcare unfolded, what she learnt through the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) at NUS Nursing, and why she believes nursing is as much “head and hand work” as it is about the heart.

You began your career in teaching after studying engineering. What first inspired you to choose those paths?
I always wanted to be either a teacher or a doctor when I was a high school student in Vietnam, but my parents felt those careers weren’t practical — teaching paid too little (in Vietnam), and medicine was too tough for a girl. I eventually became a teacher in Singapore, after I graduated from Nanyang Technology University’s Electrical Engineering programme and worked as an engineer for one year. This fulfilled my first childhood dream.

What motivated you to make the switch to nursing after more than a decade in teaching?
It started when a beloved teacher of mine in Vietnam was diagnosed with lung cancer. I flew back to visit him several times but didn’t know how to care for him — it was painful to feel so helpless. Later, when a close friend in Singapore was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer, I spent time at the hospital and came across the nursing career pathways at SGH. I was deeply moved and realised this was exactly my second childhood dream — to care for people in their most vulnerable moments.

How did your teaching background influence your approach to nursing?
My teaching experience proved incredibly useful. Patient education is part of daily nursing, and I enjoy explaining the “why” behind what we do. At SGH, I even got the chance to design a training workshop on constructive conflict resolution for newly promoted Nurse Clinicians — which was well-received despite me being a junior staff nurse.

What were your biggest concerns about making such a major career change?
Income was my main worry. Nursing doesn’t pay as much as teaching, and I had to start from scratch. I was also afraid my past experience would be wasted. Thankfully, I realised it wasn’t — many of the soft skills I built as a teacher carried over to patient care and education.

How would you describe your experience going through the CCP (Degree) programme at NUS Nursing?
I loved it! I’ve always enjoyed studying since young, but this time, I found it especially meaningful. The curriculum connected theory to real-world practice — from healthcare policies to nursing frameworks. Compared to my engineering and teaching degrees, nursing felt more relevant and grounded in daily life.

Was there a moment during training that stood out to you?
That was the day when one of my classmates recognised me as her former Design & Technology teacher! It was hilarious and humbling — she used to witness me scolding students in class, and now we were being scolded together during lab sessions. That experience reminded me how life can surprise you in full circle. But the best part was forming close friendships with my CCP classmates; we studied, laughed, and went swimming together.

How did the programme prepare you for hospital life?
At first, we felt behind in clinical skills compared to Nursing diploma students. But NUS Nursing trained us to think critically — to understand why we do things, not just how. That big picture framework became invaluable when navigating the fast-paced, chaotic hospital environment.

What do you find most fulfilling about nursing today?
Being able to restore a patient’s dignity when they feel the most helpless — even in tasks like changing a diaper is profoundly meaningful to me. Every “thank you” I receive reminds me that I’m a nurse for a reason.

How does nursing compare with your previous career in teaching?
Both professions involve care and education. But patients, unlike students, are usually grateful for your help — as they really need it. In teaching, many students saw lessons as a chore; in nursing, even the smallest act of care is appreciated.

What would you tell someone thinking about switching careers into nursing?
Be very sure about why you want to do it. Don’t make the switch just to escape a bad boss or job — that alone won’t sustain you. Nursing demands passion, resilience, and heart. But if you truly want to care for others, it will be one of the most meaningful journeys you’ll ever take.

For more information on the Career Conversion Programme for Registered Nurses (Degree) and apply for the programme, please visit: https://conversion.mycareersfuture.gov.sg/Portal/ProgramDetails.aspx?ProgID=P00000189
Applications close on 1 Dec 2025