Distinction recipients of the Malaysian Nursing Board Registration Examination, Niam Xin Tian and Tan Bee Hwa (Subang Jaya, Group 1/2015) recently dropped by the College to pay a visit to their lecturers and supporting college staff. Both are currently working at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital in Singapore. We managed to get some quick words from them to share with students who wish to join the Singapore nursing workforce.
Speaking about their experience, the duo shared that the culture is the same in both countries, however in Singapore, English is used more in everyday communication. In terms of skills that they have learned during their 3 years of studies with IMC, it is suitably relevant to their job responsibilities. Nurses also need to learn to be more patient as their patients have more needs during their road to recovery.
Working in a foreign land also comes with challenges of learning the hospital’s patient management system. They observed that processes are more systematic, allowing them to work more efficiently once they have familiarised with the system.