Two SingHealth Nursing students chat with Changi General Hospital’s Assistant Director Punithavathi (Sister Puni) over a game of Jenga to learn more about her life as a nurse.

Shaik Muhammad Hamzah (H): Can you tell us what inspired you to join nursing?

This story goes back more than 40 years, when my grandfather was hospitalised. My dad saw how patient, compassionate and dedicated the nurses were. After I completed my ‘O’ levels, he asked me: “Do you want to be a nurse?” I agreed without hesitation, and here I am! Till today, I have no regrets — who I am as a nurse now is all thanks to my dad and his support.

Sumana Liew (S): Do you still remember your first day in nursing?

I’ll always remember the date of my first day in nursing school: 4 May 1983! I recall being very excited, but also slightly fearful of the unknown. Thankfully, my fun classmates and teachers made me feel at ease.

H: What’s your typical workday like?

I oversee the medical wards. Each day is fast-paced and multi-faceted. No two days are the same, and that’s what continues to motivate me as a nurse. Some of the things I do include reviewing patient status, staff deployment, and looking into any incidences that have occurred in each shift with my colleagues. I also make rounds to catch up with nurses, checking in on operational matters and patient care plans.

S: Wow, Sister! How do you keep going through such a busy day?

My kopi-o gao (extra strong black coffee)! It’s what keeps me going in my shift. In all honesty, the encouragement and support I receive from my colleagues each day is part of what spurs me on. I’m also motivated when I observe the recovery of my patients and see them improve day by day.

H: What was a recent interesting project you worked on?

Have you heard of hyperkalaemia? It’s a condition in which a person has high levels of potassium. Insulin is usually prescribed to manage the condition. To reduce the risk of administering the wrong insulin dosage, I worked closely with colleagues from the nursing, pharmacy and innovation teams to develop a device called Insulin Guard. It was very rewarding to see how Insulin Guard evolved from an idea into a solution that’s now in use in Changi General Hospital (CGH).

S: So what do you usually do on your days off?

I love watching actions and thrillers. Some of my all-time favourites are Chicago Fire and Law & Order: SVU. I also enjoy spending time with my pet beagle, Zeus. It is important to find personal time to rest and recover too.

H: What do you enjoy most about working here?

At CGH, we work closely with colleagues from various disciplines to provide care for our patients. I enjoy working in this collaborative environment; it helps in my professional growth. The Insulin Guard project I shared earlier is one example of the multidisciplinary collaboration that often takes place here.

S: Could you share with us an anecdote of when you were especially proud to be a nurse?

Yes! In fact, it happened on my first day of work. I had to perform an emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on a patient the moment I entered the ward at 8am. I was scared and excited at the same time. We managed to save the patient, and he was later discharged to go home. It was my first day, and my first save — I will never forget that feeling!

H: Over the years, did you have any mentors whom you admired?

I’ve had many wonderful mentors who have inspired and guided me in my 40-year career. I am thankful for the support system that I’ve had in CGH. One person who made a significant impact was the late Ms Ang Beng Choo, our former Chief Nursing Officer. She was caring, sincere and nurturing, and was always there to guide me during challenging moments. More importantly, she was a dear friend when I needed advice and support. I really miss her!

S: Looking back, what advice would you have given to your younger self?

Never stop learning, and never stop seeking opportunities for growth. I’d remind myself to stay curious, open-minded, and always be ready to adapt to change.

H: What about advice for future generations of nurses like Sumana and me?

Nursing can be emotionally and physically demanding. Yet, seeing the difference it makes to our patients’ lives makes it all worth it. My advice is for you to cultivate resilience and to look after yourselves. Taking care of yourself allows you to better care for others. Remember, nursing is a journey. Each step, no matter how challenging, is an opportunity to learn and grow. The future is in your hands — take hold of it.

Check out their video here.

About Trailblazers 3, The Nursing Student Council

The SingHealth Nursing Student Council is all about supporting nursing students. As a bridge between senior management and fellow students, we are here to advocate for your needs, help you grow professionally, and connect you with opportunities in the healthcare field. From organising skill-building events to representing the nursing body’s interests at higher levels, we are dedicated to making your journey as a nursing student in SingHealth as smooth and rewarding as possible.

To find out what the council has been up to, follow us on Instagram: @shn.trailblazers

About the Members

Sumana Liew (Chairperson) With a name that means ‘wisdom’ in Sanskrit, Sumana is a Year 3 student of the Singapore Institute of Technology and attached to train at the National Heart Centre Singapore

Shaik Muhammad Hamzah (Council Advisor) This Year 4 student of the National University of Singapore is attached to Changi General Hospital for training. In his spare time, Hamzah likes to practise his DIY magic on old furniture to make them look brand-new.

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