Over 300 Year 1 students recited the Nursing Pledge in front of their loved ones and the wider nursing fraternity at the first Nursing Inauguration and Badge Pinning Ceremony on 6 August.

Over 300 incoming Year 1 students were formally initiated into the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS Nursing) and into the wider nursing fraternity at the first Nursing Inauguration and Badge Pinning Ceremony on Tuesday 6 August, themed ‘Eternal Care, Commitment and Compassion’.

During the ceremony, the freshman cohort and their attending parents were provided deep insights into the nursing studies curriculum, and what it takes to be a professional nurse.

As part of the event highlights, five NUS Nursing alumni, namely Assistant Professor Chua Wei Ling from the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies; Dr Koh Yiwen, an Associate Consultant in Emergency Medicine at the Ng Teng Fong General Hospital; Senior Nurse Manager Faiz Mordiffi from Woodlands Health, Nurse Clinician Ko Shini Cynthia from Raffles Hospital, as well as Chi Ching Lim who is both a Nurse-Clinician and Advanced Practice Nurse, were invited back to their alma mater to participate in a Nursing Forum.

Weighing in with their experience from different nursing tracks and specialties spanning across areas of Research, Education, Management and Clinical, the nursing alumni shared anecdotes on the highs and lows of being a nurse and their motivations for staying after all these years. The Nursing Forum was moderated by Dr Darryl Ang, a Research Fellow from NUS Nursing.

The highlight of the ceremony was when over 300 Year 1 students were presented their nursing badges by their respective House Captains. With the nursing badge pinned firmly onto their attire, they lit candles and recited the Nursing Pledge by the Singapore Nursing Board, led Sebastian Koo Yong Jun, the 17^th President of Nursing Subclub.  This ceremony is of considerable significance as it was the first time the incoming cohort of Nursing students publicly pledged their commitment to their education and their future profession, with their loved ones and the professional nursing fraternity bearing witness. Their promise: to exemplify and uphold the qualities, befitting of a Nursing professional, at all times.

The Nursing Inauguration and Badge Ceremony came to a close after a rousing performance by Under The Covers, an independent a capella group. Earlier, the audience was also serenaded by Aeona, a Singaporean singer-songwriter, who performed two of her original pieces – ‘Precious Works of Art’ and ‘Flower Heart’.

Prof Liaw Sok Ying, Head of the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, giving the Opening Address.

A Year 1 student receiving her Nursing badge from her House Captain.

Year 1 students from the House of Peplau gathered for a group photo.

Under The Covers, an independent a capella group, performed a medley of songs to round up the evening. 

Kudos to the 17th Nursing Subclub committee for planning and executing the event successfully. The EXCO members are Sebastian Koo, Terina Tay (Project Director), Muhammad Amir (Project Director), Kang Ming Jun, Nur Aqilah Huda, Nicholas Koh, Tan Xian Yin, Rachel Ang, Toh Jia Qing (Alex), and Loke Wai Her.

The Bachelor of Science (Nursing) degree offered by NUS Nursing is a 3-year full-time undergraduate programme. Students who have performed well throughout the programme are eligible to apply to read the Honours year leading to BSc (Nursing) with Honours.

Join us online on 6 April 2024, 1pm-2pm, to find out more about the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) degree programme, entry requirements, application timeline for 2024 and sponsorship available for the international students. Sign up here: https://nus-sg.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIqd-GqqTorG9ZpbSAvh4s0iAg7dxqyfxkO#/registration

International students are eligible to apply for the sponsorship under the National University Health System (NUHS). Find out more here: https://www.nuhs.edu.sg/About-NUHS/careers/careers-in-nursing/Documents/NUHS-Nursing-Sponsorship.pdf 

Visit the NUS Nursing booth at the College of Alice & Peter Tan (CAPT) Multi-Purpose Hall for a face-to-face chat with our faculty and students on the BSc (Nursing) programme. Find out about the admissions requirements, application processes and the robust curriculum that you will experience as a NUS Nursing student. Participants may also find out more about scholarship and sponsorship opportunities offered by MOHH and various healthcare clusters. Ask all the questions you need to!

*Shuttle service to MD3 for the Lab Tour is available at U-Town 

“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.

NUS Nursing held the Open House for Polytechnic Students on 27 January 2024 and it was fully subscribed with over 100 participants coming by for the event.

Participants, some with parents in tow, visited the various stations of the Open House and got  hands on with  wound dressing, resuscitation, infant-bathing and Virtual Reality (VR) learning. They also found out more from current students and faculty members on the degree programmes NUS Nursing has to offer for polytechnic students intending to further their studies.

Participants were introduced to the processes of resuscitation at one of the stations.

NUS Nursing students and a faculty member demonstrated the various steps in resuscitation, using a manikin.

Participants observed and one of them tried her hand at infant bathing.

Booths on scholarship and sponsorship opportunities informed participants of various government and university schemes.

At the last station, participants were asked to put on VR headsets to experience the work in a hospital setting and had a taste of essential skills required as a clinical nurse, such as assisting in an operating theatre.

Calling all polytechnic students who want to find out more about nursing. Join us for an exciting day of exploration and discovery at the NUS Nursing Open House! 

The International PhD Symposium was held by NUS Nursing with great success from 20 to 21 November 2023. Into its second run, the theme of the International PhD Symposium 2023 is “Self-management of Chronic Conditions”. The symposium was attended by over 100 academics and PhD/MSc students from Singapore (NUS), China (e.g. Peking University, Sichuan University, Fujian Medical University), The Philippines (University of the Philippines Manila), and Thailand (Thammasat University), and Indonesia. The symposium was held both in-person and virtually over the two days.

Prof David Thompson and A/Prof Piyanee Yobas delivered keynote speeches, whereas Prof Li Mingzi, Dr Vivien Wu Xi, A/Prof Teeranut Harnirattisai and A/Prof Jiang Hua delivered plenary speeches at the Day 1 symposium, sharing their insights and projects in chronic disease management.

The participants shared insights and analyses on the self-management of chronic conditions through presentations and group discussions.

Prof He Hong-Gu Linda, Chair for the International PhD Symposium, said, “The NUS Nursing International PhD Symposium 2023 established a dynamic academic environment, provided an exceptional platform for fostering global networking and knowledge and culture exchange. Meanwhile, the symposium effectively showcased research excellence, nurturing future collaborations among faculty members and graduate students across various countries.”

Prof He added that a similar approach will be adopted to organise the future International PhD Symposiums, with the objective of engaging a more extensive network of professors and PhD students from more countries.

Prof He Hong-Gu Linda (Director of Graduate Research Programmes) and A/Prof Wilson Tam Wai San (Director of Research) with all PhD candidates who attended the physical session and shared their projects at the symposium on 20 November 2023.

The PhD symposium started as an annual event for NUS Nursing graduate students to present their PhD related project. It has been held for over 10 years until NUS Nursing decided to rebrand it as the International PhD Symposium in 2022 to include participants from around the world.