From calling to career

Nine CGH nurses were awarded the Nurses’ Merit Award in July for their exceptional performance, active participation in professional development and contributions to their chosen field. They share about their journeys and what drives them.

From left to right Zhang Jian Xia, Phang Chen Yee, Jin Feifei, Zhang Qiuxiang, Anna Liza Pada Bantilan, Syakirin Binte Jeffreydin, Meng Chunli, Guo Lin, Wang Hwee May

Having a strong desire to care for others, Senior Staff Nurse Zhang Jian Xia's ambitions to become a nurse were spurred on by her family. Working in the operating theatres, she plays a crucial role in life-saving operations. “I saw firsthand how our efforts in a high-risk, time-sensitive environment directly impact a patient’s survival and recovery,” she shares. 

As a team lead supporting breast surgeons and pharmacists, she has helped implement pre-prepared local anaesthetic solutions for breast surgery. This initiative has enhanced medication safety and team efficiency. A mentor to new and junior nurses, Ms Zhang is also actively involved in staff training, serving as an approachable preceptor who fosters teamwork and resilience. In addition, she continuously seeks innovative solutions for department excellence. 

As a child, Senior Staff Nurse Phang Chen Yee was inspired by kind nurses in white uniforms. She later witnessed healthcare workers’ calm professionalism during a road accident. These drew her to the profession. 

Working in CGH's Multi-Drug Resistant Organism ward, she is passionate about clinical nursing and infection control, advocating for meticulous hand hygiene and contact precautions. As a Delirium Care Champion, she promotes person-centred care for dementia patients, educating their caregivers on patient safety. 

Ms Phang is quick to identify abnormal changes in a patient’s condition that can significantly impact recovery. “Nursing has many emotional moments and challenges,” she says. “But these help me grow into someone who understands the true meaning of this profession and embraces it proudly.” 

Transitioning into the workforce 17 years ago was not easy for Ms Jin Feifei, who initially struggled with her responsibilities as a new nurse. Now, the nurse clinician embraces challenges with a can-do attitude. 

Ms Jin has been instrumental in improving both patient and staff experiences. She is a strong advocate of multidisciplinary collaboration, and leads quality improvement initiatives, such as the orthopaedic device-related pressure injury prevention project, which successfully reduced cases of device-related pressure injury. 

Her fellow nurses see her as a role model with a reassuring presence, who prioritises patients’ wellbeing and is empathetic towards their families. “Small, seemingly ordinary interactions — assisting with daily activities, offering comfort and simply being present — have shown me just how fulfilling nursing can be,” she says. 

Nurse Clinician Zhang Qiuxiang's 18-year career journey began with a simple desire to make a real difference to people in their most vulnerable moments. A defining moment came when a patient’s son stood alone in grief, unsure how to proceed after his father’s passing during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Ms Zhang guided him through funeral arrangements, and served as a compassionate companion during his despair. “That moment reaffirmed why I became a nurse,” she reflects. “Beyond medical care, it is about being there for those who need it most.” 

Ms Zhang is also deeply committed to advancing her knowledge and skills, and stays on top of developments in the field. She mentors students and colleagues, helping them gain advanced competencies in patient care. This dedication has raised practice standards and improved patient outcomes. 

Inspired by a family member’s legacy of care, courage and compassion, Nurse Clinician Anna Liza Pada Bantilan discovered her purpose. Early in her career, she encountered a patient who had become depressed due to a constantly leaking stoma wafer that excoriated her skin. 

Mrs Bantilan’s meticulous technique changed everything. When the stoma wafer lasted a full day for the first time in months, the patient’s sadness gradually transformed into hope. “With patience and compassion, even a single small act of care can restore dignity, hope and the will to live a fuller, better quality of life,” she says. 

Mrs Bantilan demonstrates outstanding clinical expertise and handles complex cases effectively. She has led several award-winning quality improvement projects in patient care.

Senior Enrolled Nurse Syakirin Binte Jeffreydin never planned on nursing until her brother’s passionate stories about life on the job planted an unexpected seed. “I eventually found myself walking the same path,” she notes. “Over the years, I’ve come to realise that nursing is not just a job — it’s a calling from the heart.” 

Ms Syakirin’s impact extends far beyond the patient’s bedside. Recognising the challenges new nurses face, she established a preceptorship programme and created a starter kit while conducting regular informal catch-ups to help them navigate workplace culture. Her peer support sessions provide safe spaces for sharing experiences and building confidence among staff. Her holistic leadership style creates a supportive learning environment that particularly benefits those new to the profession.  

Reflecting on her 20-year nursing journey, Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) Meng Chunli recalls what drew her to the profession: making meaningful differences in people’s lives. From mentoring junior nurses to contributing insights on patient safety-related quality improvement initiatives, Ms Meng shapes nursing practices and enhances patient care. 

A key achievement was integrating Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy reinsertion — a procedure previously exclusive to surgeons — into nursing practice, thus improving patient outcomes whilst optimising resource utilisation. “My nursing experience has taught me to stay humble, be adaptable, and maintain an inquisitive mind so that I can continue to grow and meet the demands of an ever-changing healthcare landscape,” she shares. 

Assistant Nurse Clinician Guo Lin grew up in a family with a healthcare background. Her career choice was further influenced by the personal experience of caring for her ill grandmother. At CGH, her outstanding knowledge of gerontological nursing and clinical applications have delivered consistent high-quality patient care through her time in the specialist clinics and later the general hospital team. 

Now, as a community nurse, Ms Guo provides home-based care. Her approach in developing and implementing care plans that meet individual needs reflect best practices and her clinical decision-making skills. “Seeing my patients improve in their health and gain confidence in managing their own care brings me immense joy,” she reveals. “It reinforces the true impact of community nursing — not just managing illness but empowering individuals and restoring hope.” 

Nurse Clinician Wang Hwee May was instrumental in the launch of the Acute Dialysis Unit (ADU) at CGH in 2017. Recognising the increasing need for acute dialysis care, she collaborated with stakeholders, trained staff and facilitated the implementation of necessary resources and workflows to make the ADU a reality. “Good planning is crucial to maintain a patient’s quality of life and to living a fulfilling life,” she observes. 

In 2018, under Ms Wang’s leadership, CGH became the first institution in the SingHealth cluster to implement a Medical Device Interface for dialysis machines. Her clinical leadership has transformed fragile moments into opportunities for hope, helping patients enjoy a good quality of life in the community.