More men are entering the nursing profession. The number of male nurses registered with the Singapore Nursing Board has increased from about 3,500 in 2014 to 4,700 last year. There were more than 42,000 nurses in Singapore as of last year. 

The nursing profession may still be largely dominated by women, but for Mr Kenneth Chia, 27, gender is no barrier to the profession.

Mr Chia nowworks as a staff nurse at Changi GeneralHospital’s Accident & Emergency Department. When he was a child, he was admitted into a hospital due to asthma complications; Mr Chia was so touched by the care he received that he made nursing his childhood dream.

Mr Chia was part of his secondary school’s St John Brigade, pursued nursing courses at ITE College East and Nanyang Polytechnic. He also completed a Bachelor of Nursing (Post-Registration) degree at SIM Global  Education (SIM GE) in July 2017.

The Bachelor of Nursing (Post-Registration) programme, which can be completed on a one-year or two-year part-time basis, is developed and awarded by The University of Sydney and offered at SIM GE in Singapore. It is fully-taught by academics from The University of Sydney.

This year marks 25 years of partnership between SIM GE and The University of Sydney, and over 3,500 health professionals have graduated with nursing and health science-related degrees through the partnership.

Mr Chia shares more about the programme he graduated from and his experiences in nursing:

What is it like working in a female-majority field?
As nurses,werespect one another’s area of work regardless of gender. It is perfectly all right for a male nurse to display his softer side when providing care for patients.

My advice to people considering a nursing career is not to let gender normsget in the way…Sometimes, it is also easier for male nurses to communicate with male patients who are uncomfortable sharing their problems with female nurses. 

How was the bachelor’s degree helpful?
My academic journey with The University of Sydney at SIM GE provided me with a new education experience of interacting with esteemed educators who are leaders in their respective fields.

The course has helped me to broaden my clinical knowledge and skills to deliver quality care to patients.

What are some unforgettable moments you’ve had working in the A&E department?
I remember vividly this elderly lady who was admitted after falling at home in the toilet. She had been immobilised for days. My colleague and I brought her up to one of the wards. 

After she was cleaned, fed and her wounds properly dressed, she thanked us profusely. I was overwhelmed with emotions that day.