This Nurses’ Day, we celebrate and honour the incredible work that nurses do. We all know the lasting impact of nursing, but not many realise the physical and emotional demands it entails.
Join us in taking a look at a “day-in-the-life” of Remegio Lavelyn Godinez, Senior Nursing Aide at the Red Cross Home for the Disabled (RCHD), and what goes on behind the scenes!
Hello Lavelyn, please introduce yourself.
My name is Lavelyn, and I’m a Senior Nursing Aide at RCHD’s male ward. Before coming to Singapore in 2017, I was a Registered Nurse in the Philippines. It’s been nine years since, and I love working at RCHD. To me, this isn’t just a job. It’s a calling and the residents are just like my family.
What do you look forward to most when you start a new shift?
Well, I like challenging things! Since we can’t predict what might happen during our shift, because each resident is so different from the other, I look forward to new experiences that keep my mind engaged. It also helps me build confidence when handling challenging situations.
What are your favourite activities to do with the residents?
Personally, I appreciate any activity that involves physical interaction, such as feeding time or getting to dance with them. I also enjoy bonding with them through small conversations like, “How’s your day?” or “How’s the food?”
How do you build trust with the residents?
To me, the most important thing is to be sincere. Not all residents can communicate verbally, but they can feel your genuinity in the way you treat them. The way we communicate with them is important too, whether it’s through our tone of voice or body language. When we treat them with respect and sincerity, that’s when we gain their trust.
What’s one misconception people have about your job?
People who are not familiar with healthcare may misunderstand nursing as a very strict and unapproachable profession. In reality, it’s because we bear the responsibility of caring for the wellbeing of our residents. We have to remember that they also have a family worrying about them while they are in our care.
If you could give one piece of advice to your colleagues or healthcare nurses starting their very first day, what would it be?
My one advice is to always think positively and be confident in yourself. Not only does this affect you, but the team you’re working with and the residents you care for too. Believe that you have the necessary skills to navigate your work and stay optimistic.