Four NYP School of Health and Social Sciences nursing alumni have been recognised with the 2026 President’s Award for Nurses, Singapore’s highest accolade for the nursing profession.

We caught up with our four award recipients to find out why they chose NYP, what they remember most about their time here, and how their NYP experiences have helped shape the nurses they are today.
 

Zhou Wentao

Diploma in Nursing (Class of 1997)

Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Neuroscience) (Class of 2000)

Current Position: Associate Professor

When I came to Singapore from China in 1993, almost everything was new to me, the country, language, culture and, in many ways, nursing itself. After spending six months strengthening my English, I entered the Diploma in Nursing programme at NYP’s old Outram Campus. My three years there remain vivid in my memory. I remember anatomy and physiology classes, skills assessments and the discipline of completing every procedure carefully and correctly. Only later did I fully appreciate how these experiences shaped the way I practise nursing today, teaching me the importance of attention to detail, consistency, clinical judgement and responsibility for another person’s safety. When I graduated in 1997, I saw nursing largely as a job. It was only after several years of clinical practice that I began to recognise it as a profession with opportunities for specialisation, growth and lifelong learning. My growing interest in neuroscience eventually led me back to NYP in 1999 to pursue the Advanced Diploma in Neuroscience Nursing. One of my lecturers during that time later became a close friend, and her memorable motto, “Cannot also can,” has stayed with me throughout my career. It strengthened my resilience and reminded me to approach challenges with determination. Looking back, NYP taught me much more than the fundamentals of nursing. It gave me the discipline to practise, the confidence to keep learning and the foundation to see nursing as a lifelong journey. I remain deeply grateful for everything I received along the way.

Pham Thi Ngoc Anh

Diploma in Nursing (Class of 2005)

Advanced Diploma in Oncology Nursing (Class of 2008)

Current Position: Senior Nurse Clinician

I came to Singapore at 18, fresh out of high school in Vietnam. By chance, applications for NYP’s Diploma in Nursing were open, and I decided to give it a try. To my surprise, I was selected, marking the beginning of both my nursing career and my journey towards an independent life in Singapore. Arriving alone in a new country, I had to build my life from scratch, and NYP soon became much more than a training institution, it became a second home. I made my first group of friends at the NYP Library, where I met fellow Vietnamese students from nursing and other courses. These friendships gave me a sense of belonging and helped me feel at home in a new country. Over the years, NYP witnessed my growth from a novice student nurse into a healthcare professional. After graduating in 2005, I returned in 2008 to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Oncology Nursing, further developing my passion and expertise in the field. It was also during my time at NYP that I first learnt about the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) role. At the time, becoming an APN seemed like a distant dream, but today, it is a dream come true. More than two decades after my journey began, I remain deeply grateful to NYP for nurturing my passion for nursing, connecting me with lifelong friends and mentors, and inspiring me to dream beyond what I once thought possible.

Jordan Hwang

Diploma in Nursing (Class of 1999)

Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Oncology) (Class of 2005)

Current Position: Assistant Director of Nursing

One of the most defining chapters of my nursing journey was pursuing the Advanced Diploma in Nursing (Oncology) at NYP in 2005. The programme deepened my knowledge of haematology and oncology nursing and, more importantly, affirmed that caring for patients with blood disorders and cancer was my calling. One of the most memorable aspects was the opportunity to undertake clinical attachments across different healthcare institutions. My first exposure to palliative care and hospice services broadened my understanding of holistic care and taught me that nursing is not only about treating disease, but also about relieving suffering, preserving dignity and supporting patients and families throughout their healthcare journey. I was fortunate to be guided by exceptional mentors at NYP whose passion for nursing, dedication to teaching and unwavering encouragement inspired me to strive for excellence. Learning alongside nurses from different hospitals and healthcare clusters was equally meaningful, as we exchanged ideas, shared experiences and built friendships that continue to remind me of the strength of the nursing community. When I returned to work, I did so with renewed purpose, motivated not only to strengthen my clinical practice, but also to mentor future nurses and contribute to the advancement of haematology nursing. To every nursing student, I would say: embrace every opportunity to learn. Sometimes, education not only helps us discover something new, but also reaffirms the purpose that first inspired us to become nurses.

Wong Yoke Ping

Diploma of Nursing (Accelerated) (Class of 2005 – now renamed as the Diploma in Nursing (Career Conversion Programme for Registered Nurses CCP-RN))

Current Position: Senior Nurse Manager

One of the most memorable parts of my time at NYP was returning to school and building lasting friendships with a supportive group of classmates. The clinical postings were equally meaningful, giving me my first hands-on experience in patient care and helping me grow both professionally and personally. These experiences, together with the guidance of inspiring lecturers who became mentors, shaped my understanding of what it means to be a compassionate and patient-centred nurse. They instilled in me values that continue to guide my practice today. Coupled with my personal experience of loss, my time at NYP strengthened my commitment to serving others and affirmed my decision to remain in the nursing profession. Looking back, NYP gave me more than the knowledge and skills I needed to begin my career. It gave me the values, confidence and sense of purpose that continue to shape the nurse I am today.

Continuing the Journey

From young students discovering nursing for the first time to experienced nurses who have gone on to specialise, lead and inspire others, the journeys of these four alumni reflect the many possibilities that nursing can offer.

Today, as recipients of the 2026 President’s Award for Nurses, Wong Yoke Ping, Pham Thi Ngoc Anh, Jordan Hwang and Zhou Wentao continue to contribute to the nursing profession in their own ways. Their journeys are a reminder that where a nursing career begins is only the start of where it can lead.

We are proud to call them NYP alumni and congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition.