Being addressed as ‘doctor’ is a common occurrence for Senior Staff Nurse Ng You Han, but it is perhaps not surprising, given that only one in 10 nurses are male according to the Singapore Nursing Board (2021). In fact, NNI went from zero to three male nurses in 2024!

You Han, who is currently an interventional radiology nurse, realised his calling when he first started volunteering for the Malaysian Red Crescent Society back in High School. He was first introduced to the humanitarian organisation by a friend who had an interest in community service. “The early exposure and opportunity to provide emergency medical aid pushed me to explore a career in nursing to deepen my medical knowledge,” said You Han.

For Saivelan Mathivannan, Senior Staff Nurse and Terry Tan, Senior Staff Nurse, their foray into nursing took on a different form. Their journeys were inspired by family and it was their sisters who saw their potential.

Saivelan, known as Velan by his colleagues, has a sister who is also a nurse. She recognised qualities in him that aligned with the values and demands of the profession. “At home, I took on the role of a caregiver to my grandparents who had diabetes and suffered from a stroke. My sister saw that I was compassionate and had good people skills,” said Velan. The encouragement from his sister and his own caregiving experience led him to ultimately choose a career in nursing, with a focus on community nursing.

After completing his GCE-A Levels, Terry found himself at a crossroad, uncertain about what to do next. It was his sister who suggested nursing as a possible path, having witnessed a friend of hers doing well in the field. “My sister’s insights and encouragement got me thinking about nursing, and I haven’t looked back since,” said Terry. After spending nine years at the Emergency Department at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Terry made a decision to join NNI, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and a desire to better those who were affected by stroke.

Although You Han, Velan and Terry received strong support from their family and friends right from the start, their journeys have not been without challenges. As one of the few male nurses in the field, they do encounter preconceived notions about gender roles in nursing and say that at times it can be isolating when working in a predominantly female environment.

However, the three men have settled into the family atmosphere at the NNI Neuroscience Nursing department, where they are appreciated for their clinical skills, knowledge and positive attitude.  “Nursing is a profession where you are expected to be well-rounded. You must be knowledgeable, have people skills and critical thinking ability. As long as you are compassionate, empathetic and always striving to change, you can be a nurse. Gender is not a factor,” said Velan.

Every nurse brings a unique set of strengths and perspectives and it is this diversity that lends the profession strength.

To all nurses, thank you for making a positive impact on the lives of others. Happy Nurses’ Day!

L – R: Ng You Han, Senior Staff Nurse, Terry Tan, Senior Staff Nurse, Saivelan Mathivannan, Senior Staff Nurse