Many of us associate love solely with its bilateral form – you know, that “boy-meets-girl” kind of affection. Yet we often forget that this very special emotion has a multilateral counterpart as well.
Before you think that we’re talking about some inappropriate business, let me stop you right there and explain what I mean by “multilateral”.
Multilateral love involves the characteristics of selflessness, care and patience in certain professionals, such as those in the healthcare sector. It usually takes the “one-to-many” form, where said professionals have to deal with many patients/clients simultaneously in a single setting. They zealously work to serve and improve the lives of every patient who comes to them.
We chat with three recent NUS graduates who are now healthcare professionals to take a glimpse at how multilateral love figures in their daily work.
Meet Ms. Ng Wan Jing, a Pre-registration Pharmacist who is currently working and receiving training at the new Ng Teng Fong General Hospital; Ms. Seow Li Ling, a Staff Nurse at the Renal Department of Singapore General Hospital; and Ms. Clarice Lee, a Medical Social Worker at Tan Tock Seng Hospital who plays a crucial role in providing patients and families with emotional, psychological and social support in distressing times.
Ms. Ng Wan Jing (Pre-registration Pharmacist)
What made you choose this path of serving others in your profession?
I’ve always wanted to do a job that involves caring for someone else. Since [I was] young, I felt that I was a very privileged kid and wanted to “even out” the differences by serving others. To help someone, there are many paths to choose from. I thought helping others in the aspect of their health is more meaningful and here I am, on the path to become a healthcare professional!
How do you think your way of serving the community is different from others?
I think every job is of service to people, in one way or another. I chose healthcare because I feel that health is the most important aspect of a person. The pharmacy is often the last stop for the patient. As a pharmacist-to-be, I am in a good position to make use of the clinical knowledge I have learnt in school to ensure that the medications dispensed are safe, and also to use soft skills to provide individualized counselling on the use of medication. The type of medications given to the patient is important. However, what is even more important is whether the patient can understand [how to use their medications] and dutifully take them.
What keeps you going despite the adversities that you are currently facing or may face in the future?
One word: Passion. Being a healthcare professional is a stressful job. The nature of the job has zero tolerance for error. As a pharmacist-in-training, I often feel inadequate and face tremendous stress due to inexperience. Sometimes, I’d ask myself “Why am I doing this?”. I could have joined other sectors where a mistake does not cost someone’s health/life.
Let me share a quote that is currently pinned to my desktop: “Passion does not guarantee success but it will ensure that no failure is ever final”. This serves as a reminder that the journey may be difficult and I’d face road blocks along the way, but I must always keep in mind that I chose to be here and remind myself of my interest [which is] to serve and care for people.
In your opinion, what are the qualities one should possess in order to do well in your profession?
Firstly, being passionate. It keeps you going even when there are times you feel like giving up. It makes you want to come to work earlier so that you can check on your patients, or [even come] in to work on a public holiday, e.g. Chinese New Year.
Secondly, being patient-centred. Whatever decision you make, always keep your patients in mind. They will be the ones that will either benefit or suffer [from] the consequences of your decision.
Thirdly, being time efficient. There [is] so much to do in a day! Along the way, I have learnt to prioritize patients according to their urgency in requiring my attention, to make use of pockets of time to check up on things that I do not understand, and subsequently spending some time studying during the weekend to fill in my knowledge gaps. On top of that, I will also remember to relax and take a break lest I burn out!
Finally, what is your take on showing love in your profession?
I think showing love is especially important for the healthcare field. People who are ill and need medical attention seek help from the various healthcare professionals, trusting us to help them. Without love for your patients, you wouldn’t try to do your job properly or bother to go the extra mile for them. Loving your patients entails improving yourself and doing as much as you can to help them on the road to recovery.
Ms. Seow Li Ling (Staff Nurse)
What made you choose this path of serving others in your profession?
I feel that it is a privilege to be able to care for individuals at their weakest times and ultimately witness their health being nursed back [to normal].
How do you think your way of serving the community is different from others?
In my profession, I get to witness the different sides of life. Also, I get to play an important role in making a difference in [an] individual’s life. As compared to other ways of serving the community, I am able to care for the daily needs of individuals and get to interact with them closely, just like a family member.
What keeps you going despite the adversities that you are currently facing or may face in the future?
[What keeps me going are] the smiles of patients, their gratitude [towards me] and [the fact that] they are being nursed back to good health.
In your opinion, what are the qualities one should possess in order to do well in your profession?
They are being passionate, patient and responsible [for your actions].
Finally, what is your take on showing love in your profession?
My take on it is to be patient and forgiving towards the often irrational yet uncontrollable behaviours of the patients due to their sickness, to treat the patients as if [they are] my own family, and to give them comfort, hope and encouragement during their times of despair – essentially trying to make the hospital less like a hospital!
Ms. Clarice Lee (Medical Social Worker)
What made you choose this path of serving others in your profession?
Religion played an important role in my choice of becoming a social worker. I grew up with Christian beliefs that one should always be putting others before oneself and lend them a helping hand.
How do you think your way of serving the community is different from others?
We serve the community differently because of the unique profile of those we serve – people who have gone through multiple losses in life (loss of health, loved ones, self-identity, meaning and purpose in life, etc). We are different also because of the honor we have to be able to journey with people and see them through their toughest and most vulnerable times.
What keeps you going despite the adversities that you are currently facing or may face in the future?
The knowledge of my true vocation as a social worker has kept me going on despite the multiple adversities that I face. Prayer and support from my peers and colleagues have also helped greatly in normalizing my struggles and staying true to what I am called to do in this life.
In your opinion, what are the qualities one should possess in order to do well in your profession?
A heart for others is definitely a must for any helping professional. As a medical social worker, one has to deal with the fast-paced nature, demands from the healthcare system and community that one serves in. As such, one should be quick-witted, flexible, resilient and be able to effectively manage time and stress in order to excel in this profession.
Finally, what is your take on showing love in your profession?
Love can come in the smallest and most insignificant things that you do. It does not matter how much you can do, as long as it is sincere and it comes genuinely from you. The question that we should ask ourselves is, “How should we die to ourselves each day to serve and love others better?”
Have insights into the “love lives” of other service-oriented careers? Share with us on Facebook!
Credits: Portrait photos by Nicholas Ong