How did your early experiences shape your path into nursing?

The seeds of my nursing career were planted early through my mother's 40-year (and counting) service at Mount Alvernia Hospital. But it was caring for my grandfather, who had dementia and was bedbound for a few years, that truly transformed my understanding of healthcare. Under my mother's guidance, we cared for him at home and that was where I learned how to clean and change him, administer medication, and feed him through a tube. This hands-on experience taught me essential caregiving skills and solidified my goal to pursue a fruitful career in nursing.

You enrolled via the Early Admissions Exercise in 2017 when it was first launched. Was NYP’s Diploma in Nursing your dream course?

Yes, nursing has always been my dream course. I studied at Anderson Secondary School, which was right next to NYP at that time. I would walk past the posters about the nursing course everyday and tell myself, “This is where I want to be.” I started my nursing journey in 2015 at ITE College East, and my passion for nursing has never wavered.

While still completing my internship for ITE at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), I decided to secure my place at NYP early. Even though my GPA was slightly below the minimum requirement at the time, I was confident in my performance at TTSH and that I would be able to surpass the minimum GPA of 3.0. Knowing this was the path I wanted to pursue, getting that early placement gave me peace of mind and allowed me to focus on preparing myself both academically and mentally for the journey ahead.

How has your education prepared you for your current role?

My time at NYP's Diploma in Nursing laid the crucial foundation for my healthcare journey. The hands-on clinical training and comprehensive nursing curriculum gave me both the technical skills and confidence I needed to excel in patient care. The lecturers, particularly my mentor Ms. Norain, played a pivotal role in developing my clinical expertise and leadership potential.

I went on to pursue further education at the Singapore Institute of Technology, where I also served as President of the Nursing Student Management Committee and graduated with a GPA of 4.0 out of 5.0. Now, while working full-time at TTSH, I'm completing a part-time Master's in Clinical Nursing from King's College London. 

What drives your passion for nursing today?

Every day, I see how nursing combines technical expertise with human compassion. Whether I'm administering treatment or providing emotional support to patients and their families, I'm reminded of the lessons I learned caring for my grandfather and aunt. These experiences continue to fuel my commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.

My choice to specialise in oncologic palliative care was also deeply influenced by my aunt's battle with cancer, which opened my eyes to the critical role nurses play in end-of-life care. Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to make a real difference in patients' lives, especially during their most vulnerable moments. I plan to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Palliative Care in the future. 

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations in healthcare?

My ultimate goal is to become a nursing lecturer at my alma mater eventually. I believe in the power of education to shape the next generation of healthcare professionals. By combining my clinical experience with teaching, I hope to inspire future nurses just as my mother inspired me, passing on not just knowledge, but the heart of healthcare.