Speech by Chief Nursing Officer, Dr Pauline Tan at the Ministry of Health’s Nurses Merit Award Presentation Ceremony and Tea Reception, 16 July 2012

Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of Health

Mrs Tan Ching Yee, Permanent Secretary (Health)

Prof K Satku, Director of Medical Services

Distinguished Guests and Fellow Nurses

1          Thank you for joining us in this afternoon. This year marks 127 years of nursing in Singapore. From our humble beginning in starting out at the certificate nursing level, we have today, progressed to establish our very own home grown undergraduate to post-graduate nursing programmes.

2          Nurses have played a key role in Singapore’s healthcare landscape. The nature of our work allows us to journey with our patients in their various life experiences. This can start at conception, to maternal and child health, to school health until adulthood, to chronic disease management and even palliative care.

3          At the international arena, we have also made significant strides. Allow me to share three.

4          First, the Singapore Nursing Board was invited by the American National Council of State Boards of Nursing in 2011 to be part of a global Nursing Regulatory Collaborative that it was initiating. The Collaborative comprises 8 nursing boards and Singapore is the only Asian country approached to be part of this coalition to collectively explore issues surrounding nursing and midwifery regulation. The other nursing regulatory bodies hail from:

a.    Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia

b.    College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (Canada)

c.    Irish Nursing Board or An Board Altranais

d.    New Zealand Council of Nursing

e.    College of Nurses of Ontario (Canada)

f.     Nursing and Midwifery Council of the United Kingdom

g.    National Council of State Board of Nursing (USA)

5          Second Singapore General Hospital (SGH) is the first hospital in Asia to receive Magnet recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Centre. SGH joins the ranks of the top 5% of hospitals in the world to be recognised for excellence in nursing and superior quality patient care.

6          Third, two of our eminent Nurse Leaders were conferred honorary doctorates by their respective overseas alma mater for their distinguished contributions to steer professional nursing education and practice forward. In addition, Singapore through Ms Susie Kong received the prestigious Princess Srinagarindra Award in 2009 from her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for her outstanding leadership, vision and passion to drive the development of the nursing profession locally and internationally.

7          This is the 36^th year that the Ministry of Health is presenting the Nurses Merit Award to acknowledge nurses who have been unfailing in giving their best to their patients and who also continue to unreservedly use their talent and expertise to grow the nursing profession. Since its inception in 1976, the Nurses Merit Award is still the one award that nurse highly pride and value. Even though our healthcare institutions have over the years introduced various awards that recognise nurses in many other ways, the Nurse Merit Award will still remain one of the most coveted and highly cherished awards for nurses.

8          If asked why we chose nursing, I am sure our response will be in resonance with our fellow nurses. Nursing is a profession that holds deep meaning and purpose. Although it can be physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, one can find fulfilment in connection and engagement, be it a simple interaction or making life better for another human being.

9          This expression can come from nursing patients to health when conceivably deemed otherwise. It can also be about helping a young mother understand the significance of parenthood and what it means for her to have her first latch on. Or even carefully supporting a caregiver to manage a loved one confidently and comfortably at home in the absence of ready professional help.  At times, it means forgoing meals, staying back at work for longer than usual or even not being able to attend to toilet breaks. In exchange, we expand our horizon, we learn, we grow and we give again.

10        The road ahead may not be easy. Today’s emerging health care challenges require nurses to think and act beyond institution-based care to enlarge the boundaries of community-based practice so as to provide continuity and effective care coordination for our patients across the care continuum. Like our predecessors who were pivotal to the success of what we are enjoying today, let us close ranks with the rest of our healthcare family to raise the standards of health care as we help our people to live well, live long and with peace of mind.

11        In closing, let me offer a quote from Kahlil Gibran, a Lebanese-American artist, poet and writer who poignantly puts into perspective what nurses stand for, and I quote:

“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give” (Kahlil Gibran, 1883-1931)

12        Today, we salute 73 of the thousands of courageous nurses who show us what it means to give of themselves in service to others.

13        Thank you.