Norul Izzi Binte Abdul Samad, Senior Staff Nurse, National Heart Centre Singapore

Having her second child four years ago was a joyous time for Senior Staff Nurse Norul Izzi Binte Abdul Samad. But managing two children under two years of age soon took its toll, especially when it came to her career.

Izzi, now 35, was then with the Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU) of the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS); it was her first job since entering the nursing profession in 2009. She grew to love the fast-paced environment. “I enjoy the adrenaline rush,” said Izzi. “The challenges of work were manageable but, as I made the transition to being a mother of two, it proved to be a bigger hurdle.”

“Managing a toddler and a baby on top of shift work was overwhelming for me,” said Izzi. She wanted to breastfeed her baby but found it difficult due to her work schedule. “After work, I would manage the household chores such as cooking because I wanted to give my toddler home-cooked meals. But it became overwhelming.”

Izzi considered giving up nursing to focus on being a stay-home mother. “I enjoy nursing a lot and the independence from earning an income. On the other hand, I also thought that I should stay at home to take care of my children. After all, money can’t buy my children’s growing up years,” she shared.

Izzi considered taking on a less demanding role in another hospital and department but realised that she really enjoyed working in the CTICU — it was where she started as a nurse, so she found it difficult to leave. She decided to confide in her supervisor, Senior Nurse Manager Yeoh Lee Shien. “I asked if it would be possible to work three morning shifts a week which I felt was more manageable.”

Sister Yeoh was more than supportive, and Izzi made a switch to part-time work instead. “I was so touched that she personally made the arrangements with our bosses, including the chief nurse, to allow this change,” said Izzi. “I thought that my only option was to leave.” Now with three children, Izzi has struck a happy balance between family and career with part-time work. The experience has taught Izzi an important lesson: “If we share our vulnerabilities, people around us are willing to help. Sometimes we are just scared and unsure, thinking there’s only one solution.”

Izzi treasures these close relationships at work, and sees them as blessings in this season of her life.

Duong Nguyen Bao Khanh (Vivian, Staff Nurse, Sengkang Community Hospital

Hailing from Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Vivian came to Singapore in 2016 on an Asian Nursing Scholarship. However, the 22-year old was hampered by her poor English. “I wasn’t able to articulate my thoughts well enough to those around me, which led to misunderstandings,” recalled Vivian of the trying time she had as a nursing student. “I didn’t have the confidence to speak up, and this affected my ability to pick up the right skills and techniques.”

Although she failed her internship twice, Vivian did not give up. She decided that, for her third and final internship, she would improve her language and communication skills through self-study while balancing work. Prior to her shifts, she allocated time for self-study, and familiarised herself with her patients’ diagnoses and the names of their medications. She learnt to ask for help and even conducted her own additional research. Having overcome her inhibition to communicate with others, she passed her final internship.

Vivian credits her preceptor at Bright Vision Community Hospital for turning things around. “She was friendly and guided me with a non-judgemental attitude, making it comfortable for me to open up to her,” recalled Vivian.

Vivian went on to secure full-time placement at Sengkang Community Hospital (SKCH), where she benefited further from her preceptor, Senior Staff Nurse Sarena Binte Rahim, and her then-supervisor, Nurse Clinician Kitty Ho. Both colleagues taught Vivian the ropes while taking time to understand her as a colleague and friend. “They knew that I was sometimes unsure of which work to prioritise, so they’d guide me to organise my workload efficiently. With her experience in the emergency department, Sister Kitty also taught me what I needed to do if the patient’s condition worsens,” said Vivian.

The nurturing of her nursing educators sparked a desire in Vivian to grow her knowledge and improve her critical thinking skills. With the support of her current supervisor, Nurse Clinician Yvonne Shi, she decided to take up a nursing degree, which she is currently pursuing. Vivian is inspired by her advice to “look for improvement and not perfection”.

Vivian has the support of colleagues in the ward, who adjusted the roster to accommodate her studies. Being far from her family and homeland, this camaraderie is priceless to Vivian. “My colleagues have not only sparked my own personal growth, but have also inspired me to be a better nurse, to deliver care well, and to serve patients to the best of my abilities.”

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