Serene Tan is a Senior Staff Nurse at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, a member of the National Healthcare Group (NHG).
Serene, what is your job scope like being a Senior Staff Nurse?
I work in Tan Tock Seng Hospital as a Clinical Nurse Educator (CNE) on the neuroscience general wards. I started as a registered nurse in the neuroscience general ward in 1999 and found the work challenging and interesting, so I decided to pursue an Advanced Diploma in Neuroscience in 2001.
I worked in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit till end of 2006 when I decided to take up the post of CNE. As a CNE, I find my role challenging as I not only look after patients but also work with nurse leaders in the wards to supervise clinical nursing practices and to ensure that standards are met.
My responsibilities as a CNE include:
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Organising and conducting lessons, talks or training to address the changing healthcare trends. This includes teaching staff on new process and procedure and new medical equipment.
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Ensuring clinical standards and practices are constantly upheld.
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Serving as a clinical resource nurse – in complex care management and patient safety.
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Promoting evidence-based practices, e.g. Using alcohol hand rubs for certain procedures, which is quicker than and just as effective as procedural hand washing with soap.
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Working together with other team members e.g. Advanced Practice Nurse, Nurse Manager, Nurse Clinician and Nurse Educators to implement innovative initiatives in quality patient care.
What do you enjoy most about being a nurse?
I am able to witness improvements in my patients’ condition and their eventual rehabilitation back to health.
I also always enjoy working with my nursing supervisors in addressing and improving quality and safety within the wards so that we are able to provide excellent healthcare.
It’s inspiring to see new nurses develop from a novice to an experienced nurse, and who successfully become good mentors and teachers to the juniors. I am glad that nurses have a wide Nurses’ Career Progression path and abundant opportunities for them to specialize in the areas of their choice and passion.
Overall, I am happy to be a nurse because it has molded me into a stronger person - both mentally and emotionally.
What challenges do you face as a nurse?
Some challenges that we face include having to ensure adequate skilled nursing staff to meet the needs of Singapore’s ageing population, and providing quality healthcare in the face of escalating costs and public demands.
Nurses must constantly keep abreast of the latest medical knowledge and technology in the healthcare industry.
What qualities does a nurse need to be able to provide effective healthcare?
A good nurse, in my opinion, needs to have good intellectual and emotional quotient.
To be a nurse that is professional and respected, one also needs to be a team player and to always go beyond the call of duty to attend to patients and their families.
What are your plans for the future?
Next January, I will be studying full-time for a Master of Nursing at the National University of Singapore, a programme sponsored by my employer, Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Obtaining my Master of Nursing will enable me to achieve my next goal - to be an Advance Practice Nurse (APN). I’m looking forward to this as it will equip me with knowledge and skills that will help me apply best practices and assume clinical leadership in the delivery of holistic care to patients.
