The future of nursing at NUHS
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Across the National University Health System (NUHS), nurses are increasingly leveraging new tools and technology to enhance patient care.
These tools include smart glasses that support real-time care during home visits, as well as virtual nursing systems powered by artificial intelligence (AI). Nurses also lead early screening and outreach, working with researchers and partners to bring clinical tools into everyday settings.
This is the future of nursing at NUHS – where purpose, progress and passion move forward together.
Six nurses share how job redesign and new care models have improved patients’ lives – and made them more effective in their roles, strengthened their critical thinking, and deepened their sense of purpose in their profession.
Innovative tools, safer care
The roll-out of bi-directional smart pumps – infusion devices that receive medication orders and transmit data to the Electronic Patient Information Centre (EPIC) – has reduced time spent on manual tasks, freeing nurses to focus more on patient care and communication.
These pumps automatically document medication administration in real time, and their built-in safety features calculate the correct dosage based on a patient’s body weight, which improves accuracy and response time.
“In the ICU, every second matters. The pumps help us to administer medication faster and safer, and this gives me more time to care for my patients."
– Mr Muhammad Ruzaini Bin Roslan
Early detection, life-changing support
As a community geriatric resource nurse, Senior Staff Nurse Ms See Toh Ee Ling from Regional Health System Office (RHSO) creates individualised care plans for senior patients.
"This allows us to observe subtle changes in cognitive function over time and can provide valuable data for research on mild cognitive impairment.”
– Ms See Toh Ee Ling
The RHSO uses the Quick Dementia Rating Scale to screen residents in the community – shifting detection beyond clinical settings and into everyday environments.
Apart from conducting theset screenings, Ms See Toh also works with researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) to improve early detection methods. She then shares these insights with community partners, enabling them to carry out screenings on their own. In doing so, Ms See Toh plays a vital role in connecting clinical research with community-based care.
Hospital-level care, at home
At NUHS@Home – a programme that lets patients recover at home – Senior Staff Nurse Ms Lee Yen Ling values the autonomy to make clinical decisions on-site.
She is part of a multi-disciplinary team that delivers hospital-level care virtually, including monitoring, tests, and treatments.
"Nursing acute patients at home empowers me to advocate for my patients"
– Ms Lee Yen Ling
Patients receive round-the-clock support, with continuous vital signs monitoring, intravenous treatments, and tests such as blood and urine analyses. Home visits are made when needed.
To support care delivery, nurses use technological tools such as Smart Glass – a video headset enhanced with AI – to consult other healthcare professionals remotely. Video calls, chatbots, and remote monitoring further help to ease manpower constraints and support the programme’s long-term sustainability.
Faster response, better outcomes
At Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), a collaboration with the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies (NUS ALCNS) has led to the development of a multimodal sepsis training programme.
The programme includes a sepsis pocket guide, 360-degree simulation videos, an interactive training game, and a nurse-led screening and management protocol – all designed to equip nurses with the skills to recognise and manage sepsis early.
Senior Staff Nurse Ms Aye Wint Khin is among the nurses from the Emergency Department who have benefitted from the programme.
"I feel more confident in assessing sepsis patients because of my enhanced clinical insight and deeper understanding. The programme has truly made a difference in how I deliver better patient outcomes."
– Ms Aye Wint Khin
Smarter tech, greater efficiency
In the smart wards at Alexandra Hospital (AH), nurses are trialling the virtual nurse concept — an AI-driven initiative designed to streamline workflows and address frontline nursing challenges.
Working closely with multi-disciplinary teams, they assess its clinical relevance, safety, and feasibility before broader implementation.
The initiative is expected to ease the burden of repetitive tasks, allowing nurses to concentrate on clinical judgement, holistic care, and specialist development — even with higher patient volumes anticipated in the years ahead.
Despite higher patient volumes, nurses in these wards report less fatigue, better flexibility and greater opportunities for professional development.
“Technology isn’t here to replace us but to help us serve better,” said Staff Nurse Ms Ng Li Xin from AH.
“With virtual nursing, we’re not just adapting to change – we’re shaping it and rethinking what nursing can be, while giving nurses the time and space to grow in other areas.”
– Ms Ng Li Xin
Shared decisions, empowered teams
A new multi-disciplinary team model at National University Polyclinics (NUP) is reshaping how nurses plan and deliver care.
Nurses are actively involved in care planning and decision-making, working alongside family physicians and care coordinators to co-create better treatment options. This approach enables each team member to work at the top of their licence, and improves both the quality of and overall job satisfaction.
The model is a practical shift in how we work – where nurses, family physicians and care coordinators team up to deliver well-coordinated, efficient and patient-centred care. It provides a built-in support system, clearer roles, and a healthier work rhythm.
"Ultimately, nurses are better equipped to think critically and have more opportunities to lead and contribute in more meaningful ways."
– Ms Manjula Ramadas, Care Manager, Jurong Polyclinic, NUP
As these nurses across the NUHS cluster show, they are not just adapting to change – they are helping to shape it. Whether in hospitals, clinics or homes, they are reimagining how care is delivered, using teamwork and technology to bring care closer to patients. What drives them is a clear sense of purpose – and a commitment to grow alongside their patients.
In consultation with Mr Muhammad Ruzaini Bin Roslan, Assistant Nurse Clinician, NUH; Ms See Toh Ee Ling, Senior Staff Nurse, NUHS RHSO; Ms Lee Yen Ling, Senior Staff Nurse, NUHS@Home; Ms Aye Wint Khin, Senior Staff Nurse, Emergency Department, Ng Teng Fong General Hospital; Ms Ng Li Xin, Staff Nurse, Alexandra Hospital; and Ms Manjula Ramadas, Care Manager, NUP.
