Nursing Times Issue 03

Nursing
Times
ISSUE 03 DEC 2020 INGALE CHAL

RafflesMedGrp RafflesHospital THE NIGHT LENGE ISSUE

4 14

‘BEHIND-THE-SCENES’ STORIES 04 CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Expanded roles of nurses Lilian Yew
Karyn Choo Li Ping
NURSES’ INSIGHTS (NURSING EDUCATION) Sharon Khoo Shie Ying
Chia Hui Nee
Nightingale Challenge 08 Masturina Binte Mohd Ariff
Lim Qiu Yi
Nursing Transitional Programme (NTP) 10 Zulkhairi Bin Zaini
Choo Jie Ling
RMG nurses clinical attachment 12 Dai Xiao Fang
Hu Xiao Na, Sona
OVERSEAS UPDATES 14 Nguyen Thi Thanh Huyen
Becoming an international nurse Than Sook Ling
Yang Chang Qing
CLINICAL UPDATES 17 Tee Yen Yen
Early Assessment Team (EAT) Project Wei Jin Xian
Kong Ee Lin
ON THE RADAR 18
New nurses on board EDITORIAL TEAM
Chief Editor:
FUN NURSING FACTS! 20 Lilian Yew, Chief Nurse

Get Involved! Members:
If you would like to submit an article, or share a nursing story, Karyn Choo Li Ping, Nurse
contact [email protected] Educator II
Png Ci En, Nurse Clinician II
Koh Gek Min, Nurse Clinician II
Kong Ee Lin, Nurse Clinician II

PRODUCED BY
RMG Corporate Communication
& Raffles Content Studio

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2 Nursing Times Issue 3

Chief
Editor’s
Note

Raffles Nursing Times is a quarterly newsletter published by Raffles
Hospital, which serves as a unique platform for our nurses to stay
connected. It highlights updates from our nurses and student
nurses, and with these exciting contributions, we keep abreast of clinical
practices, new technologies and arm ourselves with the latest and greatest

from the nursing world.
Through Raffles Nursing Times, we also hope to interact with Raffles nurses
and stay in touch with our nursing friends from all walks of the field. This is

an exclusive publication for nurses, prepared by Raffles nurses.
In this third issue, we have featured some refreshing ‘behind-the-scenes’
stories, where we take sneak peeks into the daily lives of our superheroes
and heroines at work. We would also like to update on our Nightingale

Challenge development activities.
The next issue of Raffles Nursing Times will be published in March 2021.
If you have stories to share, please submit them before 7 February 2021.

Mark your calendars and anticipate our next issue!

“To be ‘in charge’ is certainly not only to carry out the proper
measures yourself but to see that everyone else does so too.”

Florence Nightingale

Sincerely,
Lilian Yew (Ms)

Chief Editor

Nursing Times Issue 3 3

‘BEHIND-THE-SCENES’ STORIES

Expanded Roles
of Nurses

In this issue, let’s take a peek at the daily routines of nurses
from the specialist clinics! Working in specialist clinics may

sound easy, but what
happens behind the scenes
really go beyond the duties
of a normal ward nurse
which many may not be
aware of. We are honoured
to have both of our leading
Nurse Clinicians from the
different specialist clinics
share their expertise in
different areas.

SHARON KHOO SHIE YING, NC I
RAFFLES SKIN & AESTHETICS CLINIC

“Menial and routineness are generally not found in the context
of our every day work in a hospital, especially for outpatient
services, where our days are dictated by the procedural
requirements and respective needs of each patient. Nursing
requires not just physical attributes of kindness and care, but
also the drive and desire to help others, while maintaining our
professionalism and integrity. Being a nurse for the last 14 years
has taught me invaluable lessons of humbleness and resilience
in providing professional care and services to our patients. This
would not be possible without the hard work and support of my
Raffles Skin & Aesthetics Clinic family which makes tough days
easier and good days even better.”

Q: How did you first start out working as a nurse at Raffles Hospital
(RH)?
A: I joined the RH family as a Staff Nurse back in 2012. At that time, I was
exploring the option of branching out to outpatient specialist clinic and
heard there was an opening at RH.

4 Nursing Times Issue 3

‘BEHIND-THE-SCENES’ STORIES

Q: What has been your main source of motivation at work for so many years?
A: Always be true to yourself by knowing what you want, and loving what you do. Set aside some time for self-
reflection at the end of each day and think about what you had done and whether there is anything that you
could have done better.

Q: What qualifications do you need for your current role?
A: Whilst education may be important for career progression at the initial phase, education alone is not enough
to propel you to the position that you aspire to be in. To do so, you have to pick up additional skillsets such as
interpersonal relationship skills and management skills.

Q: What attracted you to work at an aesthetic clinic?
A: A strong sense of curiosity and interest was what drove me to join the aesthetic clinic. The work processes and
procedures involved in an aesthetic clinic are very specialised and not something which you can be exposed to in
other aspects of nursing.

Q: Share with us your day-to-day routine working at an aesthetic clinic.
A: A typical day in the aesthetic clinic begins with preparatory work such
as checking the number of cases and procedures that are scheduled for
the day, setting up the procedure rooms, ensuring that all equipment
and instruments are ready and functioning well, and confirming that all
documentations for surgeries are in order. Once patients arrive for their
scheduled treatments/surgeries, I will perform specific nursing procedures
such as draw blood samples, give injections, followed by assisting doctors
during surgeries and charting. When the procedures are completed, I will
continue to assist patients with scheduling of their next appointments as
well as educating the patients and their family members on post-treatment
care plans. On top of that, my current role requires me to be able to
multitask and oversee other operational needs of the aesthetic clinic
such as communicating with various parties to manage patients’ cases,
attending to patients’ requests and enquiries, providing guidance and
supervision to junior nurses, handling patients’ feedback and complaints if
any, and managing all administrative duties where applicable.

Q: Can you share some of the transitional changes
you have experienced over the years working with
Raffles, such as workflow processes, technology and
patient care activities?
A: In recent years, workflow processes have been
further streamlined to ensure that they are easier to
understand and follow through, which make us our
work more efficient. RH has also adopted an active role
in transitioning to digitalisation such as moving towards
paperless documentation by switching to electronic
devices and developing our own Raffles Connect app
which offers seamless and convenient access to our
patients seeking medical consultations and medications.

Nursing Times Issue 3 5

‘BEHIND-THE-SCENES’ STORIES

CHIA HUI NEE, NC II,
RAFFLES INTERNAL MEDICINE

“I have been working at the Internal Medicine Centre
at Raffles Specialist Centre since 2002. I was assigned
to assist a Geriatrician when I first came to Raffles
Hospital. Throughout the years, I have been given many
opportunities to learn from my seniors and was able
to hone my skills further. Eventually, I became a nurse
leader at my centre. My daily routine includes answering
patients’ enquiries via email or phone calls, attending
to patients and orientating newly-hired nurses at the
centre. I also train them in basic administrative duties
and nursing skills required, such as venepuncture.“

YEARS OF NURSING EXPERIENCE: 26 YEARS

Q: What enticed you to take up
a career in Nursing?
A: I did not have a specific career
plan after I completed my pre-
tertiary education. In fact, I
had applied to nursing school
because a friend asked me to
apply with her. Both of us were
granted admission and the rest
was history. I guess it was by a
fortunate stroke of serendipity
that I became a nurse as
I developed a passion for it on
the job.

Q: What motivated you to work
in a specialist clinic instead of
at a hospital when you first
started out?
A: When I first joined RMG, I worked
at the RMG clinic at the former
Tampines DBS Centre. Afterwards,
I left for an overseas stint before
rejoining in 2002. I wanted to
work in a specialist clinic to gain
experience and I was also attracted
by the regular working hours.

6 Nursing Times Issue 3

‘BEHIND-THE-SCENES’ STORIES

Q: How did you manage to answering patients’ enquiries via
achieve career advancement email or phone calls, attending to
over the years? patients and orientating newly-
A: I was inquisitive and open to hired nurses. I also take on the
learning new things. I welcomed role of a preceptor to train new
opportunities to acquire new or nurses in administrative and
strengthen existing knowledge nursing skills. I also take care of
and abilities. Moreover, I was any other duties as assigned by
eager to take on challenging my manager.
tasks, which provided me with an
avenue to further hone my skills. Q: Can you share some of the
My seniors and superiors transitional changes you have
were also instrumental in my experienced over the years
growth as a nurse as they were working with Raffles such as
willing to entrust me with more workflow processes, technology
responsibilities. and patient care activities?
A: The Internal Medicine
Q: How is working in an RMG Centre at Raffles has expanded
clinic different from working in tremendously over the years in
a ward setting? terms of medical specialities,
A: There is more administrative as well as the number of staff
work at the clinic as compared (doctors, nurses, patient service
to the ward. We would have to officers) that we have. The range of
liaise with insurance companies, diagnostic services and treatments
corporate clients and patients that we offer has grown with
regarding medical coverage. advancement in technology.
Maintaining good interpersonal
relationships with our new and We have also advanced from using
regular patients is vital at the handwritten medical records
clinic as most of them return to electronic medical records in
regularly to Raffles Hospital when outpatient clinics in the past few
needed. Clinical work such as years. Additionally, our employees
venepuncture, injections and are more equipped to handle
administration of intravenous patients after attending the
therapy is also carried out at the various training programmes that
outpatient clinics, but not as much are provided within the respective
at the wards. centres and by the Raffles
Healthcare Institute. Currently,
Q: Can you share your day- new nurses have to meet
to-day routine working at the department core competencies
Internal Medicine Centre? before they are allowed to carry
A: My daily routine includes out their duties independently.

Nursing Times Issue 3 7

NURSES’ INSIGHTS

Nursing Education

Nightingale

Challenge
Florence Nightingale

2020 has been designated as the Year of the Nurses & Midwives by World Health
Organisation. To celebrate this recognition, Raffles Hospital has accepted the Nightingale
Challenge. The Nightingale Challenge is a global initiative to inspire the next generation of
nurses and midwives as practitioners, advocates and leaders in health. The goals of the
Nightingale Challenge are to invest in young nurses and midwives, allowing them to become
more active leaders in the workforce to improve patient care; find creative solutions; and to
lead, so as to fulfil their potential to become capable and efficient nurses who work to the top
of their licence.

8 Nursing Times Issue 3

NURSES’ INSIGHTS

Nursing Education

In line with the vision of the
#NightingaleChallenge, Raffles Hospital
has lined up developmental projects to
encourage our young nurses to take on
new challenges and master new skills and
knowledge to be the next generation advocates
of nursing. They include the following:
#RafflesHospital #RafflesMedicalGroup
#RafflesNurse #Nursing #NursingNow
#NextGenerationNurses

Raffles Nursing Times E-Newsletter - An in-house newsletter to highlight the contributions of #NIGHTINGALECHALLENGE
our nurses and nursing leaders, and share articles on current clinical issues and nursing practices.

Nursing Education Portal - An online portal to provide education resources for nurses to
promote nurses’ professional development.

Nursing Quality Advocate Group – A focus workgroup to advocate greater ownership in the
care that nurses provide; and improve the nursing profession with their voices, ideas and views.

Nursing Leadership Symposium – A platform to provide sustainable support and staff
empowerment to our current nursing workforce that will help to improve clinical outcomes.

Let’s hear some thoughts from SNE Masturina Bte Mohamed Ariff who
shared with us her inspirations and values as a young nursing leader driving
the Nursing Education Department (NED) and one of the Nightingale projects –
Nursing Education Portal.

I would like to share my five years of experience and thoughts in leading the
NED. I can vividly remember one of the values taught and reinforced by my
former superior: “You can talk the talk; can you walk the talk?” This question
kept me driven while working in NED.

I am a strict and focused leader. The question is: “How do I get there?” A leader
does not need to know every single step to get the mission accomplished.
Anyone can be a leader, but how successful he/she can lead the team is
another issue. It starts by walking our talk and becoming a person that others
want to follow. When leaders say one thing, but do another, that will create
mistrust. Trust is the most critical element of productive leadership.

While I do not have the perfect formula to be a good leader, I believe there are ways that you can create a
difference as a responsible leader. When you strive to set a good example as a leader, you will definitely not go
wrong in your life choices!

Therefore, in conjunction with the vision for Nightingale Challenge to promote leadership among our young
nurses, my team and I will be developing a Nursing Education Portal. This paradigm shift in nursing education is
a proactive step taken to increase knowledge for the nurses. Stay tuned and wait for our updates in Q1 2021!

Nursing Times Issue 3 9

NURSES’ INSIGHTS

Nursing Education

Nursing
Transitional
Programme

In 2019, we had our first run of Nursing Transitional Programme (NTP) as
part of the initiative to help integrate our budding nurses and help them to
adapt better in the new working world. This programme aims to facilitate
the transition of the new graduate to a professional registered nurse –
from education to practice, progressing from novice nurses to competent
professional nurses in the clinical environment. It is also targeted at providing
emotional support to the newly graduated nurses as well as to strengthen
their commitment to nursing as a professional career choice.
We spoke to some of our NTP graduates who share their experiences and
growth journey as a Raffles Nurse.

SN II CHOO JIE LING, WARD 10
“I found the NTP conducted by the Nursing Education Department (NED)
to be an effective tool in equipping me with practical know-how and
readiness in managing various situations in the ward that inexperienced
graduate nurses could potentially struggle with. The programme
facilitators regularly checked on our progress and emotional status
to ensure that our mental health and wellbeing are well looked after.
With the supplementary NTP, as well as combined efforts of the nursing
educators and ward staff, my transition into the role of a registered nurse
was evidently smoother.”

10 Nursing Times Issue 3

NURSES’ INSIGHTS

Nursing Education

SN II ZULKHAIRI BIN ZAINI, WARD 9A

“I am grateful I was able to participate in the NTP as the programme
helped me and other new nurses to integrate faster into our new work
environment. I remember looking forward to every monthly NTP session
as we had the chance to be exposed to different topics which help with the
transition. For instance, we were orientated to the work expectations from
our colleagues and supervisors as starting out as a novice nurse is not easy.
As we had a lot on our plate to learn, we picked up strategies to help us cope
better with our job scope and duties. We were also taught to improve our
critical thinking skills. This course has also taught me to strategise my work
in a more detailed manner to improve and achieve better patient outcomes.

It was definitely stressful at first, but I was glad that the course did share
with us methods of fatigue stress management which made it easier to
channel through challenges at work. NTP has indeed helped to improve my
perspective of nursing. Overall, I have enjoyed my time in NTP and I hope the
course will continue to be made available for future nurses in RH.”

SN I LIM QIU YI, ICU

“Transitioning to a Staff Nurse (SN) just right after graduation was not
easy. Thankfully, NTP which was organised once a month by NED has
helped me to grow responsibly as a SN and gives me a lot of confidence
to work in the ward and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

The programme is a very good platform as a support group. I knew that
there were other new graduates who were also struggling to transition
to become a SN, therefore it made me feel assured that I have a support
group to listen to and understand one another’s difficulties in the
transition journey.

I have gained a lot of confidence on the grounds. I was working in ward
10D before this programme, then I was rotated to ICU. It was tough at the
start because the whole setting in ICU was unfamiliar to me, and I was
not confident because I was unsure if I would be able to adapt to this new
environment and function properly as a SN. Luckily, NTP has taught me to
set my goals towards what I want to achieve in the ICU setting. I am proud
to say that after a year, I have become confident in taking care of ICU
and High Dependency Unit (HDU) patients now. We also participated in
group projects such as evidence-based practice of some common nursing
issues in the ward. It helped us to gain insights and knowledge which we
can share with our fellow SNs and Senior Staff Nurses (SSNs) to improve
in our nursing care for our patients as well as improve our own well-
being. NTP has definitely helped me to grow from a student nurse who
had just graduated to becoming a confident SN in ICU and ward settings.”

Nursing Times Issue 3 11

NURSES’ INSIGHTS

Nursing Education

RMG Nurses
Clinical Attachment

As part of an overseas exchange training programme to groom RMG nurses,
we invited at least three nurses from our international hospital and clinic
overseas to pursue their internship with us in Singapore.

RMG CHONGQING SN DAI XIAO FANG
“I am very honoured to have the opportunity to learn at Raffles Hospital in
Singapore. On the first day of arrival, we visited the various departments
of the hospital and learnt about the layout of the hospital. The nurses were
all very kind and friendly, and then the Sister in-charge orientated me to
the workflow of Day Surgery and also taught me to complete a series of
pre-operative preparations. I have learnt about the importance of patient
safety post-operatively, and also how to provide the best care for them.
I was exposed to the Endoscopy Room later on and acquired the
knowledge and skills to run a case smoothly with the nurses. I realised
the importance of teamwork and communication which are essential
to ensure the best patient outcomes are being met. After returning to
Chongqing, I will share what I have seen and learnt with my colleagues.
I have enjoyed my attachment at Raffles Hospital and I’m full of
appreciation to the nurses and their guidance.”

12 Nursing Times Issue 3

NURSES’ INSIGHTS

Nursing Education

RMG BEIJING SN HU XIAO NA, SONA

“I am glad to be here in Singapore for this opportunity. I have worked in
Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC) to support national COVID projects and
have had the chance to work in the Accident and Emergency Department
(A&E) of RH. In A&E, I have acquired knowledge and skills in triaging and
managing cases from the Emergency Care Collaboration; performed
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) swab and saw how
admissions were being done. I also learnt about the different pathways
RH has in the management of ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)
and stroke patients. As RH has also been accredited as a Trauma Centre,
I feel privileged to have the opportunity to see how the team of doctors
and nurses work in trauma care.

During my time in Singapore, I have met many kind and warm colleagues
and have picked up new knowledge and skills from them. I have also
attended very interesting lectures organised by the NED. I would like to
express my gratitude to all for your help and guidance. I will remember
the pleasant experience in Singapore.”

RMG VIETNAM NURSING SUPERVISOR
NGUYEN THI THANH HUYEN

“After working as a volunteer in Changi Exhibition Centre (CEC) for over
two months, I had the opportunity to do observation at RH. I can see how
well-organised the hospital is even during COVID times, as the additional
checks and screening processes do assure visitor’s safety when they
visit us. I have a very good impression of the way the Sisters conducted
training, the new techniques that they applied spiced up the lectures and
made them easier for me to understand. The topics covered the fields
that I am interested in, so they are very useful for me.

During my attachment around the Specialist Centre and the wards,
I could refresh my knowledge with clear explanations from the
doctors, the Sisters and the nurses, and I could feel the passion and
professionalism of all the staff. I will share with my team all the useful
knowledge and information I have learnt, and the memorable moments I
have had in Singapore when I return home to Vietnam. From the bottom
of my heart, I would like to send my special appreciation to Ms Sarah Ang,
to Sister Karyn and the NE team; the Clinic Managers, the Sisters and all
the nurses for the help they have given to me. I appreciate their guidance
and the time they have spent with me.”

Nursing Times Issue 3 13

OVERSEAS UPDATES

Becoming an
International Nurse –

Voices of our Raffles Nurses in Chongqing

We are delighted to hear from our pioneering team of Singapore nursing leaders
who have helped to set up the first international hospital in Chongqing, China.

MANAGER, NURSING EDUCATION, YANG CHANG QING
“Time flies! My two years’ overseas contract ended successfully with amazing memories. I was very blessed to have
been involved in this project, and to be able to witness a new hospital being set up. The journey was tough but
extremely meaningful, which reflected the spirit of great teamwork and selfless contribution.

As a Nurse Educator, my primary responsibility is to set up the Education &
Training department, and nurture and groom local nurses to the next level so
that they can deliver the Raffles brand of care and culture in Chongqing. My
other responsibilities include Basic Life Support training and general training
as well as involvement of ward setup. The biggest challenge for me was
to integrate the cultural and practical differences between Singapore and
Chongqing, while adapting to the local environment so that I can work well
with local colleagues. In terms of learning methodology, I always encourage
adaptability and agility of mindsets so as to incorporate hybrid model into
the education system. It is very rewarding to see our nurses’ professional
growth that aligns with RMG standards and values. I will continue to do my
part to help them further grow both professionally and personally.
Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to my mentor,
Ms Lilian Yew. I am grateful for her willingness to provide me with
invaluable guidance and learning opportunities when I had just started
as a novice on the education path. Her unwavering support has been
tremendously helpful, and I would like to pass on this spirit to my
future mentees.”

14 Nursing Times Issue 3

OVERSEAS UPDATES

MANAGER, NURSING ADMIN, TEE YEN YEN

Moving from Raffles Hospital (RH) hospital. Standard Operating become a plus point for future
in Singapore to Raffles Hospital Procedures and Work Instructions ventures in China.
Chongqing (RHCQ) as a Clinical had to be reviewed and modified
Operations Manager was a turning to fit China context but at the Starting my career in China was
point in my nursing career. RHCQ same time, not lose the essence of like a box of chocolates - You
is unique in China. We are the first international standard. never know what you’re going to
International General hospital get! It has been full of challenges
in Chongqing. Lots of efforts As a new hospital, our day-to-day and uncertainties but I always
have been put in to educate the operations were challenged with appreciate the sweetness when
public on our hospital practices new issues. Issues could range things work out to my expectations
and to publicise our medical from problems with process flow and learn from any bitterness
services. Ensuring smooth flow of to operations, to customer service. stemming from less pleasant
operations from clinic to inpatient Although it was tough, we found experiences. My journey has
care is critical to boost our the work very fulfilling as there taught me to always stay positive
customers’ confidence in us. was much to learn. Bringing with and ensure I have strong team
me what I have learnt in Singapore support to stay on top of things.
When we first started, we had to to apply in China had not always This journey with the team has
bridge all differences between been a smooth transition. However indeed made me stronger and
how things were done in the two I do appreciate the importance of widen my perspective in life!
cities so as to set an international blending in different cultures and
nursing standards while infusing it practices from the two countries
with local nursing gold standards. to create an improvised version of
All processes have to be run practices to suit the local context,
through repeatedly with table-top while maintaining the international
exercises and mock scenarios in standards for our hospital.
order to fit our Singapore system Ensuring we find the balance to
into the actual operations of the smoothen processes will definitely

Nursing Times Issue 3 15

OVERSEAS UPDATES

SNC II, WEI JIN XIAN, ICU
It has been more than two years since I was involved in the Raffles Hospital
Chongqing (RHCQ) project. The opportunity has been an immense
learning journey, as my professional career has grown so much throughout
this overseas assignment. China nursing standards has progressed leaps
and bounds over the past few decades. Although quite a number of clinical
theories and practices are different from what we practise in Singapore,
but the international concept of providing quality care and ensuring patient
safety remains the same all over the world.
Being able to witness the development of RHCQ from a construction site
to a fully operational hospital has been very memorable although we went
through tough times during the initial period. Throughout this amazing
journey, I have taken up different roles and responsibilities that will
definitely enhance my working experience.
In RHCQ, I was provided with clear management mandate and given the empowerment and support to execute
my roles and responsibilities. As the Clinical Operations Manager, I was critically involved in the customisation of
internal operations workflow, the commissioning and the eventual day-to-day hospital operations. Besides the
Specialist Clinics that I was responsible for managing, I also took up the responsibility to manage the Financial
Counselling department, which included commercial insurance.
It was a difficult decision to leave the wonderful team at RHCQ after more than two years. I have started my new
journey at RH’s Intensive Care Unit in Singapore, and am looking forward to contributing my nursing service as
Senior Nurse Clinician II.
16 Nursing Times Issue 3

CLINICAL UPDATES

Early SNC I THAN SOOK LING, INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
Assessment
Team (EAT) In a competitive landscape like Singapore, there is growing pressure to
Project, ensure efficiency and quality in everything we do, including for patient care.
ICU Team Therefore, it is important to develop performance metrics that can be used
to monitor care quality and reflect important attributes of patient care.

Early Assessment Team (EAT) is a quality improvement project that is
initiated by the ICU Team. The aim for this initiative is to have an effective
means of early prediction and prevention of unscheduled ICU readmission
within 72 hours of post-ICU transfer to the general ward. The goal of early
intervention during clinical deterioration is to improve patient outcomes.

Findings of this initiative include, EAT comprises doctors (Hospital Physician) and nurses equipped with
but are not limited to the following: ICU background, and the team reviews the patient in general wards on
• Reduced number of ICU the following day. This arrangement allows the teams to more efficiently
identify and provide critical care expertise in a timely manner for patients
re-admissions whose condition may be deteriorating.
• Decreased hospital mortality
• Shortened length of hospital stay EAT was fully implemented for all of RH inpatient settings in January
• Reduced healthcare costs 2020. From Q1 2020 to Q3 2020, a total of 29 ICU cases were transferred
• Increased ICU bed availability to the general ward. Out of 29 cases, 3 cases (10%) were reported as
• Enhanced multi-disciplinary unscheduled return to ICU. No adverse events or mortality was found for
10% of the unscheduled return population. Through EAT implementation,
communication and collaboration general ward nurses have the opportunity to learn how to better manage
patients with deteriorated conditions, with the presence of EAT support.
A critical care expert is also available to step in to help manage patients in
these situations, as required. Hence, the availability of EAT offers mental
and/or psychological support to the staff and gives them a sense of
security which helps to reduce work stress.

Nursing Times Issue 3 17

ON THE RADAR

On the

Radar

We welcome NC II Kong Ee Lin, Ward 9, who joined the Raffles Family in September 2020.

NC II KONG EE LIN, WARD 9
Having worked in a private hospital and specialised in haematology
and stem cells transplant for most of my nursing career, I decided to
take a leap of faith and joined Raffles Hospital. I am proud to learn
that it has close collaborations with renowned overseas hospitals,
and of the critical role it plays in Singapore as a public emergency
hospital. Having joined from another institution, I have come to
believe that not only knowledge and good practices are important,
flexibility and open-mindedness are just as key to career fulfilment.
Therefore, I decided to take up the challenge of working in a totally
new environment and to manage one of the subsidised wards. 
My goal in nursing is to utilise my knowledge, competencies and
skills towards helping patients achieve a better quality of life, health,
well-being and/or eventually, a peaceful death. Taking up the new
responsibility and understanding the new workflow processes were
tough in the beginning months. I really appreciated the help from the
other nursing managers and fellow colleagues who were always so
patient and forbearing towards me. I am looking forward to making
my contribution to the Raffles family.

18 Nursing Times Issue 3

ON THE RADAR

Let’s welcome our new team of Inpatient and SOC nurses
for the month of September and October 2020!

Inpatient Nurses Ward 10 Staff Nurse II
Ward 8C Staff Nurse II
Lacaba King Joseph Guleng Ward 13 Staff Nurse I
Joven Lara Chyne Querubin Ward 13 Staff Nurse II
Zen Lam Mang Ward 10 Staff Nurse I
Pagaduan Aljay Florida Ward 9B Staff Nurse II
Velasquez Mitch Day Bondoc OT Staff Nurse II
Nolasco Ronald Mendoza Ward 13 Staff Nurse II
Ybanez Mary Wendy Bathan Ward 10 Enrolled Nurse I
Dimaculangan Nino Camus OT Staff Nurse I
Urayenza Anna Marie Matangga Ward 9A Enrolled Nurse II
Miraflores Trisha Henares Ward 13 Enrolled Nurse II
Samson Rheena De Aro Ward 13 Enrolled Nurse II
Allera Eric Ababon Ward 13 Senior Nurse Clinician II
Diang Janine Inah Bigornia Ward 8C Enrolled Nurse II
Chu Swee Ping Ward 10 Staff Nurse I
Mah Hui Yi Ward 9B/A Enrolled Nurse II
Medina Chodel Demesa Ward 10 Enrolled Nurse II
Cimafranca Cory Berdin Ward 10 Staff Nurse II
Soriano Gladys Apidos ICU Senior Staff Nurse II
Ibale Ma Theresa Basco ICU Staff Nurse I
Le Dieu Linh ICU Staff Nurse I
Tan Xie Yen Ward 9 Staff Nurse I
Chow Chen Yee OT Staff Nurse I
Gayomale Gesha Guinanao OT Enrolled Nurse I
Durga D/O Narayanasamy
Estrada Jan Mark Doria

SOC/GP Nurses Internal Medicine Staff Nurse I
Shaw Centre GP Staff Nurse I
Mok Yi Ting Terminal 3 GP Enrolled Nurse I
Galvez Jerome Diaz Women Centre Staff Nurse II
Sunthie D/O Don Saranelis Wijendra REMC GP Senior Staff Nurse II
Chua Bee Sze
Grace Tan Hui Ting

Nursing Times Issue 3 19

Fun #1 WE DO MAKE MISTAKES
Nursing Nurses are humans, we have both good and bad
Facts! days – streaks of perfection and streaks of failure.

#2 “NO, WE CANNOT BRING HOME SUPPLIES!”
People tend to joke that nurses are able to bring back
‘good stuff’ of medical supplies because of unlimited
access. Nurses value integrity as an important quality!

#3 NURSING ISN’T JUST A WOMAN’S JOB
It is old fashion to surmise that nursing is a woman’s
job because of the care-giving the field revolves
around. In Singapore, about 10% of nurses are male.
Source: Singapore Nursing Board’s Annual Report 2016

20 Nursing Times Issue 3

La Trobe University
(Melbourne) and Nurses
Learning Hub invite Registered
Nurses to apply for the
Bachelor of Nursing (Top-up).

DEGREE AWARDED
This programme is designed to enable
Registered Nurses in Singapore to expand
their knowledge base in the discipline of
nursing and apply this to their practice
without leaving home. Students who
successfully complete the programme will
be awarded the Bachelor of Nursing by La
Trobe University.

COURSE DELIVERY
The Bachelor of Nursing programme is
conducted in block mode with face- to-face
sessions for both lectures and tutorials,
and is fully taught by academics from
La Trobe University. This Degree is also
supported with on-line learning utilising
study guides, required readings and
activities, and assessment briefings for
each subject.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must hold a current nursing certificate or diploma from a recognised school of nursing and

have current registration with the Singapore Nursing Board.

Duration: 24 months (Part-Time)

Designation: Bachelor of Nursing

Accredited by: Singapore Nursing Board

Supported by: Singapore Nurses Association

For promotion information and to apply, contact:
Singapore Nurses Association
77 Maude Road Singapore 208353
Tel: (65) 6392 0770
Fax: (65) 6392 7877
Email: [email protected]

Nursing Times Issue 3 21

“I attribute my success to this—
I never gave or took any excuse.”

Florence Nightingale

WHAT IS NURSING? NURSES @ RAFFLES
Nursing can be described as both an art and a science; The nursing team at Raffles is closely-knitted.
a heart and a mind. Nursing is more than a career. It is Our nurses come together to care for our
a calling. patients.

A NURSING CAREER WITH RAFFLES Our nurses are given opportunities to develop
Find out more about the career development and build on specialised areas of interests, and
track and opportunities. are encouraged to pursue lifelong learning.

22 Nursing Times Issue 3