"I made the mid-career switch to nursing in year 2005, as I felt that nursing would give me the opportunity to help someone.
Throughout the years, it gave me the self-satisfaction that I can make a difference in someone’s life no matter how small the contribution may be."
- Tan Gay Cheong, Nurse Clinician at Woodlands Health
Please tell us more about your current role at Woodlands Health.
I am a Nurse Clinician in the Emergency Department at Woodlands Health.
How long have you been a nurse?
I have been a nurse since 2005.
Can you give us a brief rundown of your career, highlighting any milestone moments and why they were significant to you.
I began my nursing career as an Enrolled Nurse and advanced to a Registered Nurse in 2010. A significant milestone in my career was during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. I worked at the NCID Screening Center, where I encountered large-scale patient management for the first time. This experience was both challenging and rewarding, as it tested my skills and resilience while contributing to the national healthcare response.
What made you decide to choose nursing as a profession, and how have those feelings evolved throughout your many years in the profession?
I made the mid-career switch to nursing in year 2005, as I felt that nursing would give me the opportunity to help someone. Throughout the years, it gave me the self-satisfaction that I can make a difference in someone’s life no matter how small the contribution may be.
Can you share an anecdote about a patient that’s left an impression on you?
I remember the joy on a patient's face when we handed her newborn baby to her. It was my first time assisting with a delivery in the Emergency Department, and that moment left a lasting impression on me. Witnessing such pure happiness reinforced the profound impact of our work.
How have the roles and job scope of nurses evolved over the decades?
Nurses' roles have expanded from bedside care to using technology and innovation in patient care, improving quality over the years.
What are some other little-known facets of the nursing profession that you wished people knew more about?
Did you know? Nurses can easily walk 10,000 steps during a single shift!
What is some advice you would have for those who are thinking of joining the nursing profession?
For those considering joining the nursing profession, remember: nursing goes beyond textbooks — it's about the human touch.
What keeps you going as a nurse?
Knowing that I can positively impact patients' lives and mentor the next generation of Emergency Nurses keeps me motivated in my nursing career.
If there’s anything you’d tell your younger self, what would it be?
Start your nursing career sooner.
