Meet Oleander, Nurse Manager for Home Care at NTUC Health
Nurses Day - Oleander Lee
Oleander joined NTUC Health in 2019 as a Community Nurse, and has been an integral part of the Home Care team since. After establishing herself as a standout performer who consistently delivered high quality work, she was promoted to Nurse Manager in 2023.
Oftentimes, the nursing career transcends being just a profession.
This was especially so for Oleander, who was greatly motivated to become a nurse in her childhood. When Oleander was young, her grandmother had to be hospitalised. As a child, Oleander saw firsthand the essential role that healthcare professionals played in her grandmother’s recovery. From there, Oleander's passion for nursing was ignited, and she has never looked back since.
A Step into Oleander's Shoes as a Nurse Manager
Oleander’s day usually begins with checking emails and reviewing messages on her work phone for important updates from clients such as changes in their health status, requests for additional support, or updates on ongoing care plans. Thereafter, she spends the most part of the day going for home appointments to visit her clients. Oleander's clients are primarily elderly individuals who require assistance with daily activities or medical care. Many of them have chronic conditions, mobility issues, or are recovering from recent surgeries.
As part of her job, Oleander's nursing duties include developing personalised care management plans for her clients. This often requires meticulous planning and coordination to ensure that each care plan is tailored based on a good understanding of the medical, emotional, and social requirements of each individual.
This holistic care plan not only addresses health concerns, but also aims to enhance overall well-being and quality of life. Additionally, Oleander regularly follows up with her clients to monitor their progress.
To provide the best possible patient care, Oleander also collaborates closely with other healthcare professionals, such as doctors, physiotherapists, social workers, and other members of the nursing staff.
Different Settings, Same Dedication
While both nursing care at the hospital and patient's home utilise a similar basic set of clinical skills, the experience in delivering care can be quite different.
In hospital settings, nurses often work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple patients with different types of illnesses and ailments. The structured hospital environment provides immediate access to a range of medical resources and specialist knowledge.
In contrast, home care nurses like Oleander typically operate in less-structured settings to provide personalised care to clients in their homes.
Said Oleander, "As a community nurse, I frequently move between homes when visiting clients, and often set up makeshift offices at void decks or staircases to attend meetings or complete paperwork between appointments."
Oleander Lee
Community nurses have to be adaptable and resourceful, as they may frequently need to make critical assessments without immediate access to seek advice from a broader medical team. Oftentimes, they have to think on their feet, using their knowledge and experience to handle unexpected situations that arise in the field.
Be it managing a medical emergency or providing emotional reassurance to a patient and their family, community nurses must always be prepared to step up to the challenge. Their ability to work independently, while still being part of a larger healthcare network, ensures that patients receive comprehensive care in the comfort of their own homes. All in all, community nurses contribute to the well-being of the community and bring considerable societal benefits.
A Passion for the Nursing Profession
One of the most rewarding aspects of home care nursing is the ability to build long-term relationships with patients. Rapport-building between clients, their caregivers, and the community nurses is incredibly important, as it ensures the best possible care journey for clients.
I am deeply motivated by the trust placed in me by both clients and their caregivers. Many individuals have become long-term clients with whom I’ve become very familiar despite starting off as strangers.
Oleander Lee
When asked about a rewarding moment she recalls in her career, Oleander recounted an incident where a long-term client suffered significant loss of mobility after an extended hospitalisation stay. Through a comprehensive and collaborative care plan with the patient’s family, involving regular physiotherapy sessions, personalised exercise routines, and frequent home visits from healthcare professionals, the client soon regained mobility and was able to resume tasks like household chores and cooking.
Witnessing her client’s progress and her return to independence was a gratifying moment in Oleander’s career, as it reaffirmed her passion for nursing and the importance of her role in enhancing the quality of life for her patients.
Overcoming Challenges in Home Care
Working in home care, however, comes with its own set of challenges.
Some clients may face financial challenges and Oleander collaborates with external parties to find additional assistance for them. Family tensions can also run high, which means that Oleander has to navigate the emotional difficulties that come with caregiving.
Furthermore, due to the unique requirements of their job, the Home Care team rarely meets face-to-face with their colleagues to share their experiences or challenges, as they are frequently on the move with home visits.
Despite this, when we do come together in person, we still feel a strong sense of camaraderie within our team. We support each other extensively; if someone falls ill or needs assistance, we cover for each other. By working closely and sharing knowledge with each other, we can foster a culture of teamwork and learning in our team.
Oleander Lee
Oleander Lee and Pauline Leong
Oleander also highlighted the guidance she receives from her mentor, Pauline Leong, who is Assistant Director of Nursing at NTUC Health Home Care. To Oleander, Pauline was instrumental in guiding her career path, and imparted valuable lessons such as the importance of cultivating a learning mindset, and to develop long-term goals.
Recognising our Healthcare Professionals on Nurses Day
Internationally, Nurses Day is celebrated on 12 May to honour Florence Nightingale's contributions to modern nursing. Known as “The Lady with the Lamp,” she revolutionised nursing during the Crimean War.
However, did you know that Singapore celebrates Nurses Day on 1 August, which differs from the rest of the world? This date was chosen to mark the beginning of nursing in Singapore, which started in 1885 with European women and French nuns who trained as nurses at the Singapore General Hospital. They established Singapore's first nursing school in 1951.
Be it in a hospital or home care setting, nurses play a vital role in improving the lives of their patients. This Nurses Day, we celebrate the extraordinary contributions of all nurses, who go above and beyond to provide exceptional care.
Nurses' Merit Award by the Ministry of Health (MOH)
Established in 1976, the Nurses’ Merit Award by the Ministry of Health (MOH) recognises the vital role that nurses play in the healthcare system and celebrates their contributions to patient care, nursing education, and the advancement of the nursing profession in our nation. It is a distinguished accolade that honours nurses who have demonstrated exceptional performance and dedication in their profession.
In 2024, 32 nurses from the community care sector were recognised with this award, and Oleander was one of them.
Oleander Lee - Nurses' Merit Award
Here’s what she had to say about receiving this award!
Receiving this award has humbled me greatly, as I recognise that it’s not just my own efforts but also the support of my team members and loved ones that have led to my accomplishments thus far. This recognition only motivates me to work even harder and push myself further to continue growing.
Oleander Lee
What's Next for Oleander?
Oleander aspires to expand her roles in management, clinical operations, business development, and mentoring young nurses. She aims to inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals and contribute to improving home care services in Singapore. Additionally, she is committed to reshaping perceptions of the nursing profession and advocating for its value and importance.
Are you an aspiring nurse? Here's what Oleander has to say to you!
Don’t hesitate to embrace new challenges, even if they take you out of your comfort zone. Seize every opportunity that comes your way and push yourself. Without trying, you may never discover if that path is right for you!
Oleander Lee
Happy Nurses Day to all Healthcare Professionals!
As the backbone of our healthcare system, nurses provide essential care to patients from all walks of life, often in challenging and demanding situations. From providing compassionate support to families in crisis to leading complex medical teams in major hospitals, nurses are trusted and valued members of our communities.
At NTUC Health, our doctors, nursing, allied health, clinic, and care staff are responsible for many aspects of client and senior care - from monitoring vital signs and administering medications to performing physical assessments and offering emotional support. With their combination of knowledge, experience, and expertise, they contribute greatly to improving both individual as well as community health.
Happy Nurses Day!
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