Stepping up in a career that cares for others

A former laboratory analyst in the pharmaceutical industry, Mr Hafiz Bacon, 30, was attracted to nursing’s intellectual side, from understanding medical physiology to grasping the social aspects of care.

However, after he became a staff nurse at Changi General Hospital, the emotional fulfilment of nursing was brought to the forefront.

Mr Hafiz recalled caring for a patient with a newly created stoma – an opening located in the abdominal wall that allows waste to be diverted from the body. “His morale was low and he shared with me how he was feeling down as a result of his altered physical state,” he said.

Mr Hafiz did his best to support and encourage the patient, sharing stories of people with stomas who continue to live fulfilling lives, with some even managing to run marathons.

“Over time, I noticed that the patient was more cheerful. On the day of his discharge, his daughter thanked me and told me that her father was so grateful that he kept telling his family about me. What really struck me was how as a nurse, I was able to motivate a patient and positively influence his path to recovery.”

To switch careers, Mr Hafiz completed a nursing diploma from a local polytechnic before enrolling in the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Nursing with Honours (Top-Up) degree awarded by King’s College London last year. He chose the school because of its strong global reputation, engaging curriculum and broad selection of electives. “King’s College London is able to provide a global perspective of nursing practices worldwide. These fresh insights could help me to bring new ideas into our local nursing community,” he said.

Offered as a part-time top-up programme by King’s College London through Ngee Ann Academy in Singapore, the BSc in Nursing with Honours (Top-Up) degree is ranked first in the United Kingdom and second in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022. It is also accredited by the Singapore Nursing Board. King’s College London’s university partner, London Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care, together with its allied health colleagues, was ranked first in the UK in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework results.

At Ngee Ann Academy, the programme is fully taught by King’s College London faculty. Wholly owned by Ngee Ann Kongsi, Ngee Ann Academy aims to support the education and cultural activities of Singapore residents by offering programmes for skill upgrading and lifelong learning. All its university partners are part of the prestigious Russell Group or Group of Eight associations and are ranked within the top 1 per cent of universities globally. 

RELEVANT LEARNING FOR A NEW CAREER IN NURSING

Mr Hafiz’s love for learning and the strong academic support he received have made his career transition a smooth one thus far.

“I enjoy learning at King’s College London,” said Mr Hafiz, who is set to graduate by August 2023. “Despite being a UK-based institution, the faculty tailored the curriculum to be relevant to nursing in Singapore, with cross-references to local standards of care and regulations.”

“The learnings are applicable in work settings as we regularly mentor student nurses and new nurses,” he explained. “I am now in a better position to guide them in their nursing journey.”

Mr Hafiz hopes to become a nurse clinician and enhance the level of patient care he can provide: “Modules such as advanced assessment skills and clinical decision-making will equip me with the needed knowledge and skills, which I can put into practice even now in my role as a staff nurse.”

TAKING HER NURSING SKILLS A STEP FURTHER

For Ms Deepa Ramalingam, a question from her daughter about her career goals made her think about upgrading her qualifications.

A nursing graduate from the Institute of Technical Education, Ms Deepa has been working at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) since she was 19.

“It’s usually the parents helping the kids to think about their future,” she reflected. “In my situation, my daughter was the one asking me. I thought I should have a goal to upgrade myself, in order to inspire my kids.”

Now 38 years old and a senior staff nurse at TTSH, Ms Deepa plunged back into school for the sake of her three children – two girls aged 10 and seven, and a boy aged four. “I want my children to know that age is not a barrier to fulfilling one’s desire to keep learning and upgrading ourselves,” she said.  

In 2021, after receiving her polytechnic nursing diploma, Ms Deepa enrolled in the BSc in Nursing with Honours (Top-Up) programme by King’s College London and is expected to graduate next April. She enjoys the programme’s encouragement of independent learning, which allows her to plan her schedule to fit in her family, work and study commitments.

The school’s online platform is a boon for Ms Deepa. “I can take care of my family and go back to studying comfortably at my own pace, as all the information is readily available any time of the day.”

She added: “The Ngee Ann Academy WhatsApp group is always available for students in need of any assistance, and we can contact the lecturers directly if we have any queries. We have mini tutorial sessions with our lecturers so we can clear our doubts on assignments or upcoming examinations.”

With a degree in nursing and the loving encouragement of her family, she hopes to become a wound care specialist.

Ms Deepa believes that constant upgrading is an essential component of the nursing profession. “At King’s College London, the modules will enhance your foundation in nursing skills, give you a greater, in-depth understanding of a patient’s condition, and enable you to practise with more pride and confidence.”

Learn more about the King’s College London Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours (Top-Up) programme at Ngee Ann Academy or join the information session on Aug 30.