My name is Raikkonen and I am an Integrated Nursing Scholar allocated to Singapore Health Services (SingHealth). I am currently pursuing a Diploma in Nursing at Ngee Ann Polytechnic.
When I was 12 years old, I spent a year travelling back and forth between Singapore and Johor Bahru to help take care of my grandmother. She had a stroke in 2015 and this meant she needed help with tube feeding three to four times a day. The act of taking care of her and encouraging her throughout her journey was an eye-opening experience for me. Grandmother passed away a year later but this has not deterred me. Instead, it has further inspired to taking up nursing. I hope to be able to learn as much as I can about the discipline so that I can give the best care to my future patients and even family members who are ill.
In the long-term future, the nursing discipline that I want to specialise in is Palliative Care. I believe that caring for a patient during their last few months or days if their lives is something that is very honourable. I want to be able to provide peace and comfort for these patients who are diagnosed with terminal illnesses help them regain their joy during the time they have left!
Many people have asked me whether nursing is truly what I am passionate about. They are concerned about whether I have made the right choice or is it something that I will regret down the road. I’m confident though that this is what I want to do because I’ve thought long and hard about it before embarking on this journey. To my juniors out there who aren’t sure about your next choice in life and whether you are passionate about it, here’s some advice:
Finding your passion and calling isn't going to be easy. There are times where you will feel despire. There will be times when you think you have found it only to discover that it isn't meant to be. Be open. Try new things. Talk to people. Think about what you like or dislike. Try out tests such as the Holland Code (RIASEC) Test to figure out what careers would best suit you.
To all those that are still searching, I’m certain that your heart will know it when you have found your true calling. All the best!
Story adapted from Facebook.