On Nurses’ Day today, The Straits Times shines the spotlight on community nurses who care for people outside of the hospital – whether it is in nursing homes, senior activity centres or their own flats.
With nearly 60 years of nursing experience under her belt, you can say that 81-year-old Monica Quek has seen it all. As a hospital nurse as 20, she moved on to specialize in maternal and child health before joining the school health service team. Retired at 54, however she continued with various ad hoc nursing jobs. Five years ago, she was back at work as a nurse at Pacific Healthcare Nursing Home in Redhill.
Ms Quek said that she had initially left nursing to care for her grandchildren who were in primary school. After which, she resisted the idea of returning to work due to concerns about old age, however she eventually took up a part-time nursing position at the nursing home.
Unlike in a hospital, her work in the nursing home allows her to establish good relationships with patients as they stay for much longer. Although the work can be tough, she finds that it helps pass time quicker. She hopes to continue working as long as her health allows.
Read more here.
Source: The Straits Times, 1 August 2017