My letter to the Straits Times, published on 15 Feb 2013

Nurses who made a difference

THE article ("Health officials in strong defence of nurses"; Sunday) reminded me of the two times I was hospitalised - in KK Women's and Children's Hospital in 2005, and in Thomson Medical Centre in 2008.

Both times, I needed to have ovarian cysts removed and I remember two nurses who took care of me.

On the first occasion, I was hospitalised for unbearable abdominal pain.

As I lay on the hospital bed, I began hyperventilating and a nurse came over to comfort me.

She rubbed my fingers to try to relieve the pain, then dashed to the pharmacy to get a painkiller for me.

She was still gasping for breath when she administered it to me.

I was hospitalised again in 2008 for the same problem.

I remember a nurse who would quietly pop into my ward at night to touch my toes to check if I was cold, and cover my feet with a blanket.

In times of pain and ill health, the actions of nurses bring great comfort and relief to patients.

Nurses are certainly not "low-skilled" workers.

It takes a lot of patience, courage and heart to be a good nurse.

I appreciate the health-care workers out there and thank them for their work.

Sophia Tan Chay Lee (Miss)