Ms. Oon Siow Eng, Nurse Clinician, Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit (CTICU), National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) talks about receiving the Nurses' Merit Award and her passion for nursing.

I think many nurses are like me - we love what we do and we do not expect anything in return for our work. It was therefore a pleasant surprise for myself and 100 other nurses when we were presented with the Nurses' Merit Award from Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Singapore's Minister of Health.

As a nurse clinician, I am in charge of working with other nursing leaders to decide the best care options for my patients. Being able to support my patients during their most vulnerable times, whether ultimately witnessing their recovery or staying with them throughout their end-of-life journey is something that I will never take for granted. With each day bringing new experiences, I count my blessings to be able to work in such an exciting and meaningful profession for the past 15 years.

Additionally, I think my experience has equipped me with the expertise I need to face unexpected challenges in life. I was initially thrown off-guard when my mother was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. Fortunately, as a result of my training, I was able to provide her with better care and remain optimistic about her recovery process.

Overall, my nursing experience has been nothing short of fulfilling, and I hope I can continue to positively impact the lives of others for a long time.

 By: Ms. Oon Siow Eng