Nursing in Singapore arose from humble beginnings, with 11 nuns from the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus volunteering at the General Hospital in 1885. Over the years, the scope and practice of nursing in Singapore has expanded and the role of nurses have evolved. Today, there are over 37,000 nurses whose hearts of gold and unceasing devotion towards patient welfare have helped build the backbone of our healthcare workforce.

Nurses work across the entire spectrum of healthcare, from health promotion and disease prevention, to acute and palliative care. At present, the demand for nurse-led care is on the rise, gaining prominence in the healthcare industry with the growing ageing population and the increase in chronic disease burden. It has become increasingly evident that nurses are taking on greater roles and responsibilities, from first responder interventions, to patient and caregiver education, even specialising in the treatment and management of chronic diseases. In recognition of these changing times, new changes have been implemented under the Healthcare 2020 master plan, to aid and transform the delivery of care, to empower nurses to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills they require to advance professionally.

Nurses are at the forefront of being catalysts for change in our healthcare system. Advanced practice nurses (APN) are registered nurses with post-graduate qualifications in nursing, possessing the clinical competency, knowledge and ability to manage and diagnose common and chronic medical conditions. APNs are involved in the development of health practice and policy at both local and national levels. Their role in the healthcare industry far surpasses that of the classical definition of a nurse and their inspiring pursuit for further educational and professional development is pertinent in meeting Singapore’s growing healthcare demands.

As the value and need for qualified healthcare professionals continues to rise, a growing number of nurses have been enrolling in courses to broaden their expertise and remain relevant. The Bachelor of Science (Nursing) programme awarded by the Edinburgh Napier University (United Kingdom) at the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS), School of Nursing, offers the perfect stepping stone towards making a rewarding and life-changing difference in your educational and professional journey.

Designed to suit the working nurse, this part-time top-up programme is accredited by the Singapore Nursing Board and consists of eight modules to be completed over 24 months. With new modules such as Management of Chronic Disease, the programme has been revamped to reflect the dynamic healthcare environment in Singapore, to groom and equip our budding graduates with the experience and skills they require to provide quality primary healthcare to the community. The programme also uses an easy, hassle-free online platform to communicate with instructors, allowing flexibility for working nurses without the expense of loss of contact time. Taught by academics and industry professionals who are experts in their field, the Bachelor of Science (Nursing) programme presents an opportunity for greater professional development and progress. With current statistics indicating that an overwhelming 30,000 more healthcare workers are needed by 2020, there is no better time than now to invest in your future and to inspire change in Singapore’s ever-evolving healthcare industry—exciting times await you.