A Nurse's Path into Healthcare Technology

I'm excited to share my journey in Nursing Informatics, a field that combines core nursing practices with computer and data sciences, in ways I never imagined when I first embarked on my nursing career. Like many, I began with a desire to care for patients and make a difference in their lives. As I gained experience through the years, I became immersed in the daily challenges nurses face in different settings. This experience eventually led me to the forefront of a revolutionary field in healthcare: Nursing Informatics.

Nursing Informatics serves as an essential bridge between nursing practice and technology. Nurse Informaticists leverage technology and process improvements to augment patient safety, optimise and streamline workflows. Our role connects nursing expertise with technological solutions that strive to improve healthcare delivery. One of the latest projects, MyChart Bedside, was recently launched in NUH. This initiative places mobile devices at patients' bedside, providing them with easy access to their health information and educational resources, promoting greater engagement and understanding of their condition during their hospitalization.

Interested in pursuing a career with Nursing Informatics? It’s critical to start with a strong clinical foundation. Working in the clinical field, with direct patient care for about 5-6 years is recommended before specialization. There is an array of specific informatics courses to develop the necessary skills. The field offers diverse career paths, including roles in data analytics, project management and governance.

I have the privilege to engage in a variety of projects from different levels; cluster level as well as working with across clusters of NHG and SingHealth. A significant part of my job involves engaging various stakeholders and identifying opportunities and gaps; where we can further streamline nursing workflows.

 The opportunity to network with other like-minded colleagues from different care settings, have greatly broaden my views and learning best practices that we can adopt and adapt. In the near future, our focus will be on exploring creative solutions, such as speech-to-text technology and smart documentations systems. These improvements aim to increase workflow efficiency, allowing nurses to dedicate more time on direct patient care while also ensuring they have adequate time for rest and recuperation.

As healthcare evolves with a digital transformation, nurse informaticists are working in tandem to shaping nursing's future. If you're passionate about nursing and have an interest in technology, this could be the career path consideration for you.

Bridging Science and Compassion: The Art of Nursing Research

For over 35 years, I have called NUH my professional home.  My journey to become a Senior Nurse Researcher has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Every day, I am driven by a profound purpose: to ensure our patients receive the safest, most effective, and evidence-based care possible. From designing groundbreaking studies to analyzing complex data and presenting transformative findings, each day brings new challenges that fuel my passion for discovery.

Research, I have learned, is our compass in navigating the uncharted waters of healthcare, uncovering new insights that benefit both patients and healthcare providers. NUH, as the leading university hospital, has been the perfect incubator for innovation and learning.

My research has taken me on fascinating journeys, including an impactful study on how spiritual education influences nurses' perceptions of holistic patient care. This work highlighted the vital role of spiritual care in helping patients cope with health issues, ultimately improving their quality of life. It's through such studies that we continue to enhance our understanding and ability to provide truly comprehensive care.

Dr Goh (right), with her mentor, Dr Siti (left)

I am profoundly grateful for the mentorship from Dr. Siti Zubaidah Mordiffi, Prof Emily Ang, and Dr. Tiew Lay Hwa. Their guidance has been the wind beneath my wings, propelling me to new heights in research and publication.

For those aspiring to become Nurse Researchers, NUH offers a golden opportunity through our annual NiCER Awards grant programme. Here, you will build a strong foundation in research methodology and contribute to healthcare innovation through our comprehensive Nursing Research Fellowship Programme, setting you on an exciting path in nursing research.

For those aspiring to become Nurse Researchers, NUH offers a golden opportunity through our annual NiCER Awards grant programme. Here, you will build a strong foundation in research methodology and contribute to healthcare innovation through our comprehensive Nursing Research Fellowship Programme, setting you on an exciting path in nursing research.

If you are seeking a career that blends compassionate care with intellectual curiosity and continuous growth, nursing research at NUH might just be your calling.

Full Circle: From Receiving Care to Leading The Future of Healthcare

As a Nurse Clinician (Advanced Practice Nurse), my role extends beyond ward-based clinical duties. I also manage patients with cognitive impairment in the outpatient setting, mentor junior nurses and lead workgroups to enhance our current care and develop future nursing strategies.

My journey into nursing was inspired by a personal experience. At 12 years old, I underwent corrective surgery for scoliosis. While surgeons performed the operation, it was the nurses who nursed me back to health. They encouraged my first steps post-operation and comforted me when I felt my worst. Their reassuring presence during that difficult time inspired me to pursue nursing.

From the outset, I wanted to be a Nurse Clinician and an Advanced Practice Nurse.

As part of staff development, NUH has provided me with many opportunities to hone my skills and broaden my exposure across various settings and acuity levels. I have been fortunate to meet many inspiring individuals who became my role models along my journey.

Over the last 13 years, there have been many proud moments. These range from witnessing a bedbound patient walk out of the ward at discharge, to seeing a patient's son choose nursing after experiencing the care we provided for his mother. Even small expressions of appreciation from patients, caregivers or other healthcare professionals have been fulfilling.

I remember the times when challenging family situations would bring me to tears. Now, I stand confidently with our nurses to manage such situations. What brings me the most joy is witnessing our nurses' growth in passion, knowledge and confidence.

Sowing Seeds of Excellence For The Next Generation of Nurses

My interest in becoming a nurse began in my teens during my grandmother's hospital visits. My first clinical attachment at NUH as a student nurse left a lasting impression due to the nurturing environment, structure and rigor provided by the hospital. Consequently, NUH was my first choice when I applied for a scholarship and I was heartened to be awarded thereafter.

Following graduation, the GNRP at NUH greatly helped my transition from a student nurse to a professional nurse. The Nursing leaders at NUH have been supportive in providing opportunities for exposure and reframing my understanding of the nursing profession. Their constant support and check-ins ensured I had the necessary assistance.

Having been in nursing since my graduation, I chose to continue in this profession because of the growth opportunities NUH has provided. In my role as a Nurse Manager, I'm actively involved in projects beyond my ward duties. 

Currently, I am currently the co-chair of NUH's multi-disciplinary workgroup and a member of the NUHS cluster falls workgroup. I am particularly excited about being involved in projects which present a chance to redefine nursing in terms of skill enhancement and care delivery.

A highlight of my nursing career was receiving the MOH Nurses Merit Award in 2022. This award has inspired me to continue learning from my peers and seniors, as I develop professionally and aim to elevate the nursing field.

Vital Signs of Success? The Resilient Heart of Healthcare

During my university days, I had clinical attachments at NUH. As a student nurse, I was inspired by the dynamic, empowered, and strong-willed nature of NUH nurses, which sparked my interest in nursing. Learning that NUH is the only hospital that offers GNRP further fueled my interest to join the hospital.

My aspiration is to become a Nurse Researcher. I am fascinated by the prospect of generating novel ideas at the bedside and staying abreast of clinical knowledge.

To achieve this, I have focused on refining my skills in critical care nursing while facilitating evidence-based nursing research projects. At National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS), I serve as the chairperson of our evidence-based nursing workgroup, Cardiovascular Evidence-based Nursing Collective (CENC).  

Currently, I work in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU), caring for patients with chronic or acute heart conditions. 

The job can be demanding as these patients are critically ill and require timely interventions. Breaking bad news to family members remains a challenging aspect of my role. But, I have learnt the importance of supporting families through their grief, respecting their process and time — a skill I continue to develop. 

In our ward, there were patient complaints on back pain and urinary discomfort after extended bedrest post cardiac angiographic procedures. Hence, we initiated a project titled "Early Ambulation Post Coronary Angiographic Procedures" which examines the effect of early ambulation on patients.  Given its promising results, it is being introduced as a standard practice in the rest of the Hospital. To my junior colleagues, I offer this advice: