Sydney Nursing School reaches 25-year milestone in Singapore
Every year, seven University of Sydney nursing academics make the trip to the SIM Global Education (SIM GE) to teach into the Bachelor of Nursing (Post-Registration).
The program is the culmination of a decades-long partnership with SIM GE and is dedicated to educating the next generation of nursing leaders in Singapore. It is the only degree offered by the University that is taught entirely off-shore.
This year marks 25 years of the SIM GE and University of Sydney partnership, a notable milestone in the face of the ever-changing landscape of healthcare globally.
Associate Professor Murray Fisher who has been teaching in Singapore for over 20 years, has seen some of these changes first-hand. “I’m very impressed with how the nursing profession has been developed in Singapore during this time,” he says.
The [degree] has undoubtedly given me an invaluable knowledge base. The helpful staff always make themselves available to listen and offer advice when needed.
The program seeks to advance professional health education in Singapore and improve patient care by converting more nurses from a diploma to a degree level qualification. This has been supported by the Singapore Nursing Board who have been accrediting the post registration course since 1994. Since then the program has amassed nearly 3000 graduates.
“All of the teaching team, including myself, love teaching in Singapore, and really enjoy interacting with the students,” says Associate Professor Jacqueline Bloomfield, Director - International at Sydney Nursing School. “We view the opportunity to teach in Singapore as a privilege and feel very fortunate to be involved in this program and the strong partnership that we have with SIM GE.”
Nurses who undertake the degree are taught by leading nursing researchers and teachers from Sydney Nursing School, as students are empowered to develop and enhance their own nursing knowledge, practice and skills.
Nur Sakinah, current student and oncology nurse
“The [degree] has undoubtedly given me an invaluable knowledge base. The helpful staff always make themselves available to listen and offer advice when needed,” says Nur Sakinah, a student of the program who works as a nurse in the medical oncology department at Singapore General Hospital.
The program covers the major touchstones of modern nursing, and enhances students’ critical skills as they develop their evidence-based practice, while also addressing other topics include law and ethics, management and clinical governance.
Students can study part time and more than 40 percent of nurses enrolled in the program are supported with scholarships from their employers.
I learnt that leadership is not just about management and giving directions … it is about the ability to direct and develop an organisation or a nursing unit, the ability to render support to staff and the ability to influence.”
Melanie Tan, alumna and radiology nurse
For Melanie Tan, an alumna of the program and a radiology nurse, the decision to go back to university while working and caring for her family was a difficult one, but the skills she has gained have allowed her to thrive in her leadership role.
As a nurse clinician, Melanie works closely with breast surgeons and provides pre-operative counselling and post-operative care for patients with cancer-related symptoms. She also plays a consultative role, advising nurses on clinical issues in managing patients.
“I learnt that leadership is not just about management and giving directions … it is about the ability to direct and develop an organisation or a nursing unit, the ability to render support to staff and the ability to influence.”
“What matters is the legacy I leave behind: to impact the hearts of nurses around me.”
Take the next step in your career: study the Bachelor of Nursing (Post-Registration) today. The Bachelor of Nursing (Post-Registration) is taught by University of Sydney academics in Singapore and designed for registered nurses who want to extend their clinical practice and progress as a nursing leader.
