The stigma of professional stereotypes is inching for change in many professions, including the nursing profession. Nowadays, more men are joining this profession and this is not a question of masculinity. Like most young men, these five students, Amirul, Denis, Fizi, Jun and Rizal, enjoy sports in their free time, but they opted to pursue the diploma or degree in nursing at Nilai University - their brave decisions to break away from the convention.
Inspired to contribute and care
The experiences shared by their lecturers or family members inspired all of them. Ssekimpi Denis, an international student pursuing the Bachelor of Nursing (Hons), was inspired by his mother who has been a nurse in the United Kingdom for about three decades. With a heart to care, he is actively helping in community health clinics, whenever he returns home during the semester break.
Hoe Ming Jun, a first-year student in Diploma of Nursing at Nilai University, was active in the Red-Cross Society when he was in school. Even then, he felt inclined to serve and care for the sick. His sister, who is a qualified nurse, encouraged him to follow her footsteps. She told him about the Diploma of Nursing offered at Nilai University. After he observed his sister caring for his late grandmother, he felt that possessing the right medical knowledge and skill to do so is admirable. More so, nursing is a noble profession. He intends to specialise as an emergency nurse because he would like to be the first in line to help save a life. Also, as an emergency nurse, you will always need to be on your toes, because you will need to act quickly with the right knowledge at your fingertips.
Mohd Khairul Rizal Bin Ab Ghapar, Muhammad Ahfizi Bin Juraimi, and Mohd Amirul Fadzly B. Zainal will be completing their diploma in nursing soon. These young men joined nursing because their parents encouraged them to do so. “My father told me to find out about the diploma of nursing offered at Nilai University. When I was studying in my first year, I wanted to give up. However, I persevered it because of my family’s support and encouragement. One of the most rewarding insights about my journey is that I believe that we should treat our patients like our family members,” said Fizi.
“I enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing because my mother hoped that one of her children will be in the medical field. After studying the diploma in nursing and doing my practical in hospitals, I started to enjoy and appreciate my duties and responsibilities as a nurse,’’ commented Amirul.
Affordable Fees
Amirul, Fizi, Rizal and Jun enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing at Nilai University because the fees are affordable for their families. “The School of Nursing at Nilai University is equipped with the right facilities and the lecturers are open to receive any feedback,” mentioned Denis and Rizal.
In August 2010, the Malaysian Nursing Board announced new regulations which increased nursing entry requirements. Besides affordable fees, the Nursing School at Nilai University strictly adheres to the conditions imposed by the Nursing Board of Malaysia and guides students meticulously on the nursing protocol as well as the procedures.
Personal reflection and development
The knowledge and skills gained throughout their course can apply to one’s own and career life. Denis, a student in the Bachelor of Nursing (Hons), said that during his degree programme he learned about human psychology and this broadens his understanding of human behaviour.
Amirul and Rizal who are both final year students in the Diploma of Nursing said that the knowledge acquired in Nursing helped them to handle their work stress, priorities, and importantly, to distinguish between personal and work issues. Denis emphasised that a nurse, the care for his patients are always at the forefront.
The core subjects that students undertake in the Bachelors of Nursing (Hons) include; basic medical and behavioural science, nursing science and research and statistics. It also requires students to undergo clinical practice where they will learn about clinical reasoning skills and consequently, their ability to manage ‘at risk’ patients. The high fidelity human simulators facilitate students learning process to discuss, evaluate, analyse and reflect upon a given condition after a series of clinical practices. Lecturers at Nilai University use English as the only medium in delivering lectures. The lecturers and CI encourage students to voice their opinions and feedback in English. This requirement stretches students to give their feedback using the English language. If students intend to venture overseas, their ability to articulate their reasoning in English will be priceless.
The demand for nurses is on the rise
In an article published by NST in January 2017, shows that although the ratio of nurses to the population has increased tremendously, the demand for nurses is still high, and Malaysia may require 130,000 nurses by 2020. With the growth in medical tourism, Malaysia’s ageing population and also, a steady outflow of nurses overseas, the demand for nurses will not stifle soon.
Nursing will be a stable career pathway with a variety of options once students graduate from either a diploma or degree in nursing, coupled with several years of work experience. Fizi plans to branch into the area of occupational safety in another industry after acquiring the right expertise. He felt that the career prospects are bountiful once he has gained the knowledge, skills and experience.
“I have always wanted to be in the medical field since I am from the science stream. My parents encouraged me to be a nurse because of the vast employment opportunities locally and abroad. My ambition is to work in the operating theatre,” explained Rizal.
“When I am a qualified nurse, I could serve in the military or the commercial sectors,” said Amirul. “I would advise other students who want to pursue nursing to be proud of their ambition and stand tall because being a nurse is a noble profession, regardless of your gender,” Rizal advised.
Heal with your heart and mind
Nilai University’s diploma and a degree in nursing is fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and is recognised by the Malaysian Nursing Board. Upon completing the Diploma or Degree in Nursing, graduates will sit for the Malaysian Nursing Board Examinations to be a Registered Nurse (RN). New students may apply for Nilai University’s scholarship schemes or other sponsorships programmes offered by private hospitals. Nilai University provides scholarships up to 100% on tuition waiver and accommodation fees. Nilai University’s trained education counsellors will assist and advise new students on the appropriate scholarship schemes or sponsorships available for our July 2019 intake. Nilai University is open daily except on public holidays. Please call 06-850 2308 for an appointment or click on www.nilai.edu.my or visit our campus in Nilai.
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