Elevating nursing careers with advanced expertise

While her undergraduate studies had provided her a strong foundation, registered nurse Calista Koh was keen to deepen her expertise in gastroenterology and endoscopy nursing.

Last September, she enrolled in the newly launched Master of Science in Clinical Nursing*, offered by King’s College London in partnership with Ngee Ann Academy (NAA). The two-year programme is designed for senior staff nurses in Singapore to advance their nursing careers by building up skills in managing and leading contemporary healthcare practice, research and education in global healthcare settings.

King’s College London, a long-standing partner of NAA, had previously established the Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours (Top-up) programme to equip nurses with the competencies needed to deliver improved outcomes for patients.

Ranked second in the world for nursing six years in a row by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, King’s College London was the natural choice for Ms Koh.

“The flexible hybrid format offered through NAA, which is known for its academic excellence and support services, also allows me to pursue my studies while working,” she said.

ENABLING EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE THROUGH RESEARCH

Dr Ehsan Khan, senior lecturer in Nursing Education and programme lead for the Master of Science in Clinical Nursing at King’s College London, said that rapid advancements in healthcare necessitate additional training to understand and develop new treatment methods.

“Nurses are now much more autonomous in practice,” he noted. “To take on this responsibility, they need advanced training to utilise and generate research in practice, become better leaders and specialise in areas of care.”

The Master of Science in Clinical Nursing, taught by renowned clinicians and academics, places a strong emphasis on evidence-based care and translational research.

“One of the primary aims of the programme is to enable nurses to understand research, ensuring they can incorporate the best available evidence in their practice,” said Dr Khan. “You start by understanding research and evaluating evidence, and you complete the programme with a dissertation that allows you to analyse how evidence can be applied to practice.”

This focus on evidence-based practice aligns with Ms Koh’s goal of becoming an advanced nurse practitioner. She noted that in addition to boosting core nursing competencies such as leadership, safety culture and chronic disease management, the Master of Science in Clinical Nursing has improved her research capabilities.

“The programme equips me to evaluate research and integrate it for optimal patient outcomes. The focus on translational research bridges the gap between research and real-world application,” she explained.

Ms Koh was previously employed as a senior staff nurse in a public hospital in Singapore. Since joining the endoscopy unit at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney, Australia, in January, Ms Koh has used her learning to enhance her peri-operative endoscopy care.

“I critically appraise research to implement best practices, ensuring patient safety and preventing complications,” she said. “The programme’s emphasis on research, critical thinking and communication has empowered me to contribute to quality improvement initiatives.”

She shared that she is currently in discussions with her supervisor to create a blended learning approach with simulations to optimise training for new endoscopy nurses.

A LEADERSHIP-ORIENTED CURRICULUM

Ms Koh, who is looking forward to starting her master’s dissertation, appreciates the programme’s stimulating learning environment, with its combination of lectures, case studies and online discussions that span locations and time zones.

“I benefit from my classmates’ diverse perspectives from various healthcare systems,” she said. “Collaborating with peers from Singapore and the United Kingdom in informal online study groups has further enriched my learning by allowing for collaborative review, exchange of insights and fostering camaraderie.”

Students in the Master of Science in Clinical Nursing can tailor their learning to suit specific clinical and career requirements. The programme imparts comprehensive skills that prepare them for various career paths such as nurse clinician, educator, manager and researcher, and instils confidence for senior healthcare roles.

One elective module, Clinical Leadership, has transformed Ms Koh’s approach to patient care in endoscopy.

“It went beyond traditional models to show how leadership impacts the entire unit,” she recounted. “I learned how healthcare professionals, at any level, can shape protocols, resource allocation and patient engagement. This equips me to advocate for patients throughout the endoscopy process and influence colleagues to create a collaborative environment that prioritises best practices and exceptional service.”

According to Dr Khan, modules like Health Systems Management, and Patient Safety and Cultural Variance are designed with the 21st-century nurse in mind.

“Our vision is to develop nurses who are globally aware of healthcare in this digital age and who have the skills to take on senior leadership roles, becoming clinical decision-makers who can manage and lead healthcare practice.”

After her scheduled graduation in 2025, Ms Koh hopes to pursue further studies to qualify as an advanced nurse practitioner specialising in gastroenterology.

“I plan to leverage the leadership and safety modules from the Master of Science in Clinical Nursing to design a comprehensive patient education programme for pre- and post-endoscopy procedures,” she shared. “The clear communication and safety protocols I’ve learnt from the safety culture module will foster informed patient participation and create a more positive patient experience that aligns with best practices in gastroenterology nursing.”

Ngee Ann Academy, a private education institution wholly owned by The Ngee Ann Kongsi, wishes all nurses in Singapore Happy Nurses’ Day on Aug 1, 2024.

Annual enrolment for the MSc in Clinical Nursing is now open. Learn more about the programme and the BSc in Nursing with Honours (Top-up), offered by Ngee Ann Academy in partnership with King’s College London.

*The MSc in Clinical Nursing is not accredited by the Singapore Nursing Board and does not lead to certification as an advanced practice nurse.