Our nurses are the heartbeat of NHCS as they continue to inspire us with their unwavering compassion, resilience, and dedication.
As NHCS celebrates Nurses’ Day 2024 with the unique theme ‘Back to Care: Retro Revival’, we pay homage to the enduring values and practices of the nursing profession through the eyes of our MOH Nurses’ Merit Award 2024 winners - Assistant Nurse Clinician (ANC) Yvonne Yeo from Cardiac Clinics and Principal Enrolled Nurse (PEN) Ananthalachumi D/O Vijayaraghavan from Ward 44.
ANC Yvonne has been with Cardiac Clinics for 30 years and shares a deep sense of camaraderie with her colleagues and patients, while PEN Ananthalachumi devotes her deep nursing knowledge amassed over three decades to caring for patients beyond the hospital walls.
What inspired you to begin your nursing journey?
ANC Yvonne: It is a rather funny story. I remember I was watching a drama from TCS (now Mediacorp) featuring local actress, Ann Kok as a nurse. The caring demeanour and her willingness to go the extra mile have left a deep impression on me. As I had just finished my ‘O’ Levels, I took a leap of faith and decided to pursue nursing. From then on, my nursing journey took me to Singapore General Hospital (SGH) as an Assistant Nurse in 1993, and later, as a Registered Nurse in 2000. Three years later, I transitioned to the outpatient clinics at National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) where my passion for cardiovascular nursing bloomed.
PEN Ananthalachumi: I am always passionate about helping people and making a difference in their lives. I am intrigued by medical science and have witnessed the positive impact of compassionate care on people. This inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to helping and healing others. I’ve spent the last 36 years providing emotional support to my patients and their families, listening to them, and advocating for their wellbeing. I am also involved actively in the Hindu Endowment Board through conducting regular health checks for the community.
What was a memorable challenge you faced in your nursing career and how did you overcome it?
ANC Yvonne: During the Covid-19 pandemic, the nursing team was tasked to set up a vaccination area within the clinic premises for patients and staff. It was a new experience for all of us but it didn’t take long for the team to establish a smooth workflow. I’m proud of and appreciative towards my fellow colleagues for their support throughout the entire period.
PEN Ananthalachumi: Nursing can often be overwhelming due to the fast-paced environment and the emotional toll on the caregiver. However, I managed to overcome these obstacles by seeking support from my experienced colleagues, continuously learning, and developing resilience through self-care and reflection.
How has nursing changed over the decades?
ANC Yvonne: With the advancement of technology, everything is now digitised. While this makes work processes like referencing records more convenient, it also means that nurses must put in the extra effort to retain the ‘personal touch’ that patients expect.
PEN Ananthalachumi: The digital age has advanced patient care practices. For example, mercurial thermometers are no longer used to measure temperatures! There is also a stronger emphasis on evidence-based practices, leading to better outcomes. Increasingly, there is a greater focus on mental health and wellness for patients and healthcare providers, allowing for a more holistic and supportive care system.
How do you ensure excellence in the nursing practice?
ANC Yvonne: A few years ago, during a busy period, I was approached by a patient during my morning shift. As I was in the midst of doing something, I said that I would attend to him as soon as I could. However, when I finally had time to get back to him the next day, I found out that he had passed on. The incident deeply impacted me. Since then, I made it a point to put patients’ needs as my priority and do whatever I can to attend to their needs first.
PEN Ananthalachumi: In nursing, it is essential to adhere to established protocols and guidelines, prioritise patient safety and communication, and gather feedback regularly from patients and colleagues. Furthermore, I feel it is as important to stay up to date with the latest research and best practices to improve care to our patients.
Any tips to impart to aspiring nurses?
ANC Yvonne: Being a nurse is no easy feat. Nurses must be compassionate towards patients and also be passionate about the larger purpose of being a nurse to keep us going
PEN Ananthalachumi: Be empathetic to patients, kind to yourself, and be open to learning and seeking mentorship from experienced colleagues. Stay curious, ask questions, and never hesitate to advocate for your patients.
ANC Yvonne also shared that it is the little moments in nursing that truly matters – quiet moments of empathy and shared laughter amidst adversity – often, these moments have the power to forge lasting profound connections. Truly, our nurses exemplify the age-old virtues of nursing and are the driving forces that propel healthcare forward.
Congratulations ANC Yvonne and PEN Ananthalachumi, and all nurses for your extraordinary contributions and selfless dedication!
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Stories from the heart
