15 March 2025 – Building on the success of last year’s Nurses’ Day initiative, the IMU Nursing Division once again collaborated with Kwang Hua Private High School’s Counselling Department to host an engaging, hands-on workshop. Carrying the theme “Our Nurses. Our Future. Caring for Nurses Strengthens Economies,” the event aimed to ignite interest and inspire Form 5 and Form 6 students, as well as their teachers, by showcasing the meaningful and diverse career opportunities within the nursing profession.

The event kicked off with a thought-provoking session titled “Discover Nursing: Your Journey Starts Here,” offering participants valuable insights into IMU University’s four-year Bachelor of Nursing programme. The session covered key elements, including the curriculum, clinical postings, prestigious sponsorship opportunities, and the global career prospects available to future nurses. Leading the session was Dr Lim Swee Geok, Head of the Nursing Division, whose extensive experience and deep expertise made her the ideal person to introduce participants to the evolving world of nursing.

Following this was a panel discussion titled “Ask a Nurse,” moderated by Goh Lay Khim. The session featured final-year nursing students Lee Jing Yang and Kong Pei Ni from NU 1/21, along with Chow Suh Hing, who shared their real-life experiences, challenges, and motivations in pursuing a nursing career. Their honest reflections offered participants a relatable and inspiring glimpse into the realities of nursing.

What made this session especially meaningful was the open two-way communication. Participants engaged actively, asking thoughtful and heartfelt questions about the profession—questions that go beyond what’s found in textbooks, such as:

“Do nurses get time for themselves with shift work and long hours?”

Nursing students acknowledged the challenges but shared how time management and self-care help them cope. A faculty member noted that many office jobs also demand extended hours, but nursing offers something different: a deep sense of purpose and human connection.

“How do nurses handle being scolded or mistreated by patients?”

Faculty explained that nurses are trained to understand that such behaviour often stems from pain or distress. Instead of reacting in anger, nurses respond with calmness and empathy, which helps de-escalate tension. Faculty further shared that patients often return with appreciation once they feel better, reminding nurses of the value of compassion and professionalism.

In an unexpected twist, the forum flipped the script—faculty invited participants to share their own dreams and future career aspirations. The responses were diverse and inspiring: a male flight attendant, the first female astronaut, a business owner, an artist, a psychologist, and a childcare centre entrepreneur. Interestingly, none of the participants mentioned nursing. This sparked a meaningful conversation about how a Bachelor of Nursing can actually be a stepping stone toward many of these aspirations.

Faculty members highlighted how nursing equips students with a powerful set of transferable skills—medical knowledge, life-saving techniques, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, problem-solving, empathy, communication, and networking. Nurses are also trained to perform effectively in fast-changing, high-stress environments, minimise errors, and uphold the highest standards of ethics and professionalism—qualities essential and highly sought after across a wide range of careers.

Participants were encouraged to see nursing not as a limitation, but as a launchpad for broader ambitions. The session helped shift mindsets, demonstrating how nurses can thrive far beyond hospital walls—as entrepreneurs, educators, leaders, innovators, and advocates, making a meaningful impact in their communities.

One of the standout highlights of the event was the immersive “Nursing Skills in Action” segment, where participants rotated through five interactive, real-world nursing stations, each designed to showcase essential healthcare skills:

🔹Fast Fix Like a Pro:

Led by Dr Chang Woan Ching and  Yee Bit Lian, this station introduced participants to basic first aid techniques, including bandaging, applying arm slings, and using cervical collars—critical skills needed for handling injuries from a bicycle fall accident.

❤️ Heart Hero:

Led by Dr Radha, Kong Pei Ni (NU 1/21), and Chin Buey Lin (NU 1/21), participants practised life-saving Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) usage, equipping them with essential skills to respond effectively to cardiac emergencies, particularly in cases such as a badminton player collapsing mid-game.

👶 Little Lifesavers:

Led by Deepa, Lee Jing Yang (NU 1/21), and Sidney Yong Mei Ling (NU 1/21), this station focused on infant choking rescue procedures, reinforcing the importance of swift intervention when an infant chokes on milk.

🍼 Care for the Little Ones:

Led by Associate Prof Dr Jayah, Nurazlina, and Yong Shu Yee (NU 1/21), this session introduced participants to essential newborn care techniques, including diapering, dressing, and swaddling—key skills for those interested in paediatric healthcare careers.

🦠 Suit Up & Save:

Guided by Azaria and Pung Hui Jing (NU 1/24), participants experienced firsthand the importance of infection prevention by learning how to properly don and doff personal protective equipment—a critical skill in healthcare, especially during pandemics.

These hands-on stations brought nursing to life, demonstrating how composure and quick thinking are essential in real-world situations. Participants discovered that nurses today are highly skilled professionals working side by side with medical professionals in making critical decisions, performing advanced procedures, and leading patient care.

The takeaway? Nurses aren’t just part of the healthcare workforce, nurses are key players shaping the future of healthcare.

The impact of the event was clearly reflected in the feedback from participants, many of whom walked away with a deeper appreciation for the nursing profession and a renewed sense of curiosity. Here’s what some of them had to say:

• “Nursing seems like a great career choice.”

• “Very satisfied with the workshop. Looking forward to joining again next year!”

• “Learned CPR and breathing techniques. It was a very interesting and engaging event.”

• “Gained valuable experience beyond what is taught in school. Thank you to all the lecturers from IMU.”

• “Learned basic nursing concepts. I hope to learn even more in the future.”

The success of this collaborative workshop between IMU University and Kwang Hua Private High School underscores the importance of early exposure to nursing. While the modern nursing profession has existed for more than a century, for many participants, this was their first real glimpse into a field that is dynamic, diverse, and deeply impactful. For those who now see nursing in a new light, the message is simple: your journey starts here. If you’re ready to make a real impact, don’t just dream about the future—shape it. IMU University is ready to walk this journey with you.

Sincere appreciation to the following groups for their invaluable support in making this event a success:

• All teachers of the Counselling Department, Kwang Hua Private High School
• All faculty members of the Nursing Division, School of Health Sciences
• Nursing students from NU 1/21: Chin Buey Lin, Kong Pei Ni, Lee Jing Yang, Sidney Yong Mei Ling, and Yong Shu Yee
• Nursing students from NU 1/24: Jaclyn Lu Zi Wei and Pung Hui Jing

Your contributions played a vital role in creating a meaningful and inspiring experience for all participants.

 Written by Lee Mei Ying

Reviewed by Dr Lim Swee Geok