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GCEO Excellence Awards 2009
Award-winning nurse
scores again
Nidu Maran Shanmugam, Advanced Practice Nurse, SGH Open Category: Clinical Service nominee
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or someone who had almost stumbled into the nursing profession, nurse clinician Nidu Maran Shanmugam has certainly found the right career. Back in 1996, he decided to take up a nursing diploma at Nanyang Polytechnic because, he said, “I just wanted to try something different and the course was new.” Now, his passion for the profession is clear: Mr Nidu, an advanced practice nurse with SGH’s department of orthopaedic surgery, is an awards magnet because of his relentless drive and commitment to nursing. Mr Nidu has received 10 awards in the last 10 years, including a Singapore Excellence Service Award in 2004, a Public Service Star Service Award in 2006, and a commendation at the Canadian Orthopaedic Nursing Congress in 2007. Dr Png Hong Hock, deputy director of nursing at SGH, said of Mr Nidu: “(He) consistently drives the nursing care of patients in the hospital. He empowers his nurses by increasing their competency levels.” Notably, Mr Nidu managed to cut down the hospital stay of spine patients from five to two days, by training the nurses to teach these patients how to use ambulatory aids. He formed an orthopaedic nurses’ interest group, which meets bi-monthly to improve their skills. He continuously brushes up on his knowledge of nursing by studying: He has undergone nursing programmes in the United States and completed a Masters programme in nursing at the National University of Singapore. Mr Nidu is also an active volunteer. He provides first aid at community events, gives health talks on back care to community clubs and plays an active role in community outreach projects organised by the SGH orthopaedic department. Said Dr Png: “His skill at balancing the needs of the team with his individual responsibilities is outstanding – he manages his time with maximum efficiency.” At the end of the day, however, it all comes back to the patient. Mr Nidu gives out his mobile phone number to the patients he helps. “They can call me anytime. It’s not something I have to do, it’s just something I do out of my own initiative. I see my role as bridging communication between these patients and the surgeons.”