MOH Nurses' Merit Award 2020

 

Ms Quah Evelyn

Nurse Clinician, Emergency Medicine

I began my career in 1999, and I started as a junior staff nurse in emergency medicine till today. I recall my first outbreak experience H1N1 in April 2009. As senior staff nurse then, I worked under tremendous stress with PPE to provide safe patient care round the clock. The outbreak lasted for 8 months.

In January 2020, Singapore received its first COVID-19 case and the TTSH ED was activated to set up the NCID Screening Centre. As a nursing officer now, I look into the day to day smooth running for ED and NCID Screening Centre. I am also tasked to look into staff welfare to ensure ED and deployed nurses are able to perform their job well.

As a hospital, we continue to be alert and fight COVID-19 not knowing when the pandemic will end. I wanted a career that is challenging and makes a difference. In the emergency nursing profession, I deal with many aspects of patient care in medical, surgical, trauma & infectious disease and that is extremely satisfying for me.

 

Ms Lai Kit Mun Grace

Senior Staff Nurse Continuing & Community Care (Community Health Team)

I feel privileged to serve my role as a Community Health Team nurse for the last 3 years of my 10 years in Nursing. I find tremendous meaning and was greatly inspired by my father's loving kindness in my upbringing.

An unexpected death of a frail elderly in the ward during my junior days is deeply etched in my mind. He laid motionless shortly after wailing in discomfort from the acute worsening of his chronic illnesses. It made me ponder if things could have turn out differently if he had received timely help during the pre-frail stage when he was in the community.

I've learnt that no matter how minute we see ourselves in our patients' entire ecosystem, together with the collaboration with our community partners and good teamwork, we can help patients to age in place and improve their quality of life.

 

Ms Lau Meng Tuan

Nurse Clinician, Nursing Service

I have been a nurse for 35 years. A vivid memory I recall was when I counselled a family to cope with the sudden passing of a young patient in the ICU. Knowing that I could make a difference in someone else's life keeps me going and strive to always give it all my best.

I strongly believe in continuous learning to stay relevant in my chosen profession. For example, I took up the challenge to be involved in the Next Generation Electronic Medical Record (NGEMR) project. It is a national initiative that will shape our future healthcare landscape.

Nursing is beyond being caring or empathetic, it is that selfless dedication of helping someone who can be a total stranger. Nurses continue to persevere because we form the backbone of healthcare.

 

Ms Lee Jin Yih

Nurse Clinician, Nurse Clinicians

Nursing was my first choice. My experience as a member of the St John's Ambulance Brigade gave me the impetus to choose nursing as my career of choice and be a source of comfort and strength for patients and their families in their most vulnerable moment.

I have been in Nursing for 28 years and have never looked back.

As a "Fall Nurse" clinician, my work helps to minimise fall in the frail elderly and prevent traumatic injuries. One of the memorable incidents in my career was an elderly patient that visited Centre of Geriatric Medicine (CGRM) with frequent falls and disability. With the fall evaluation, education and rehabilitation he was able to gain his independence and lead a quality of life in the community.

I am thankful for everyone I have met in my Nursing journey as I continue to serve as a role model and commit to caring for the sick and frail elderly in our community.

 

Ms Lim Kwee Peng

Nurse Clinician, Rehab - Ward

I have been in Nursing for a fruitful 32 years. Over the years, I learned to appreciate and found that nursing is rewarding and emotionally satisfying despite going through all the ups and downs. I find a sense of purpose to rebuild people's life through rehabilitation and alleviating pain and to provide comfort especially when looking after the sick and dying. Along the way, I was able to mentor young newbies in their career. I share with them that we can learn from our patients too. For example, early in my career, a patient's act of kindness and re-assurance when I was unsure of what to do has helped me to look beyond myself and has motivated me to show this same kindness to the people around me.

I would like to thank all my mentors and colleagues who believe in me and helped me to grow and progress.

 

Ms Marimah Bte Rahmat

Nurse Clinician Operating Theatre (Day Surgery)

My motivation is my mother. She had become sick and had to undergo a surgery and I realised that I had zero knowledge to help her the way I wanted to. So here I am as a nurse for 35 years.

As a junior nurse, I had an encountered a challenging night shift in the paediatric ward. However, my supervisor encouraged me with her soft-spoken words, she said 'You have the potential and you can do it!"

That incident motivated me to not only master the clinical skills, but also show respect and compassion toward all my colleagues in the healthcare team. Nursing paves the way for connection with people in uneventful ways, like when helping people without expecting any rewards. I loved my job and could never imagine working anywhere else and giving my best to each and everyone. Needless to say, it takes a special person to be a Nurse.

 

Ms Naw Than Win

Nurse Manager, Ward 8E

An unforgettable incident in my career was when I offered spiritual support to a patient at the end of his life. This spurred me to do a specialised diploma in palliative nursing.

For some patients, staying in the hospital can be among the worst days of their lives. Nursing is a calling as we can make patients feel safe and comfortable by caring for them with passion, empathy, kindness, respect and dignity.

In my 33 years of nursing, I had the opportunity to experience different specialties and work in many different fields; including the Operating Theatre, Emergency Department, Infectious Disease, Geriatric Medicine and General Medicine. Being able to work in different departments enhances our expertise and ability to think out of the box.

 

Ms Ng Lan Shin Nicole

Senior Staff Nurse, Clinic 1B

I have been a nurse for 14 years. One incident that I recall taught me that the gentle compassion of nurses can make a difference. I was involved in the care of a young patient, when I encouraged the doctor to provide an update to the family, which the family appreciated.

Today, I share my knowledge with young nurses as a preceptor myself. I constantly challenge and equip myself with the up-to-date medical practices and also attend trainings so that I can provide the best care for my patients. I set the example to learn something new every day, and gain deeper understanding of various medical techniques and procedures performed.

"What makes nursing special? As quoted by Christine Bell, "Nurses are there when the last breath is taken and nurses are there when the first breath is taken. Although it is more enjoyable to celebrate the birth, it is just as important to comfort in death." It is the journey and time we spent together with the patient till the end that counts."

 

Mr Samuel Ho Jia Yi

Senior Staff Nurse, Ward 9A

Throughout 10 years in the nursing profession, I've had many memorable experiences. The most significant incident that will be forever etched in my mind is the first time I resuscitated a patient. It made me appreciate the fragility of life and our role in seeing the patient as a person in need of our care and attention.

The intangible reward of seeing my patients get better and discharged continues to drive me to do my best as I know that I have played a part in their recovery.

It is a joy to work in a healthcare team where fellow colleagues look out for one another. Being a nurse is not just a job. It is an innate art which enables us to respond to the needs of the patient for positive outcomes. The skills and knowledge attained over the years will always serve us well wherever we go.

 

Ms Tang Lin Fong Selina

Nurse Manager, ICU, Ward 3B

Nursing was my first career choice and I was inspired by my aunt who was also a nurse. 20 years on, I have no regrets as Nursing has widened by horizon and perspectives in life. It has provided me useful life skills that I can apply and share with my family and friends.

Intrigued by the challenges and holistic approach of ICU management, I specialised in ICU care. Being an ICU nurse has allowed me the privilege to provide care for the sickest and most vulnerable patients. It can be tough and draining physically and emotionally at times. However, when these group of patients recover from the brink of death, it gives me a sense of pride and joy.

Nursing is not for the meek and faint hearted. It requires compassion, endurance, empathy and commitment. I hope I can continue to nurture the younger generation and bring Nursing forward.

 

Ms Toh Bee Guat

Senior Assistant Nurse, Subacute Ward 8

In my earlier years as a novice nurse, I saw very senior nurses, who were wise still contributing actively. It made me wonder what drove them to carry on in this profession, despite ageing up themselves. As time passed, I realise it was one key reason: Passion and love for nursing. This motivated me to contribute my best as a nurse for 31 years, towards patient care and my organisation.

I chose to be a nurse with my family’s full support, as I wanted a career where I can help the sick. Being in nursing, makes me feel special as I am considered a resource person for family and friends. Nursing is a humbling career and it has given me a sense of contentment in my life. I urge nurses to develop themselves further and acquire more education to meet the changing demands in care of patients.