Mid-career nurse questions training and safety gaps

This left the Stomper questioning how trainees could be expected to fulfil a service bond when there was no guarantee that the training and working conditions they expected would be provided.

Sarah said she has reported her concerns to the relevant authorities and has also sought legal advice.

‘Training must be real’

Sarah believes there should be stronger oversight of bonded mid-career training programmes.

Among her suggestions are for trainees to receive consistent, structured supervision and for competencies to be properly assessed and signed off before they take on full duties.

She also believes bonds should only be enforceable after trainees have successfully completed the full supervised training programme.

For nurses who suffer work-related physical or mental health issues, she said suitable light-duty or non-ward roles should be made available where appropriate.

She also called for safe staffing levels, better protection for staff who raise concerns and a review of bond provisions that she believes place significant financial obligations on trainees.

“Bonds should be fair. Training must be real. Safety must be guaranteed,” she told Stomp.

Sarah said she is particularly concerned about the impact of the system on mid-career workers who leave established careers to enter nursing.

She believes many may be reluctant to speak up if they fear losing their jobs or being pursued for liquidated damages.

‘Value those building Singapore’s health hub’

Sarah said she is sharing her experience anonymously because she believes her concerns may not be isolated.

She claimed that multiple people from her graduating cohort had been told to leave and repay liquidated damages within a year of graduating.

She also believes other mid-career and newly qualified nurses may have experienced similar challenges, including unrealistic workloads, insufficient supervision and fear of losing their jobs.

However, she acknowledged that her own experience is based on her personal circumstances and said she hopes the wider concerns can be examined independently.

Sarah is currently the sole provider for her family.

She said her ongoing physical injury has raised concerns about whether she can safely return to full ward duties, with specialist advice warning of the risk of further nerve damage or loss of function in her arm.

She is scheduled to undergo further medical assessment.

Despite her experiences, Sarah said she does not regret wanting to become a nurse.

She remains concerned, however, that the people who enter the profession through mid-career conversion programmes may not receive enough support to succeed.

“If we want Singapore to be a leading health hub, we must first value the people who build it,” she said.

MOHH: Applicants briefed on demands before accepting sponsorship

In response to Stomp’s queries, MOH Holdings (MOHH), which administers the sponsorship and bond for selected Healthcare Career Conversion Programmes in nursing and allied health professions, said on July 31 that applicants go through several stages before formally accepting a sponsorship.

These include a mandatory information session covering the programme’s academic and workplace demands, sponsorship obligations and financial considerations. Examples of challenges faced by past trainees are also shared to give applicants “a realistic understanding of the rigour of the programme and profession”.

Applicants are also encouraged to research prospective employers, speak to healthcare professionals and attend career preview sessions before applying.

Successful applicants must then complete a half-day to full-day clinical observation with their allocated employer before receiving a formal sponsorship offer, allowing them to gain firsthand exposure to the work environment and role.

MOHH added that trainees can seek academic support from their institutes of higher learning and employment-related support from their sponsoring employers, while it remains available throughout the programme to address sponsorship-related issues and facilitate discussions where appropriate.

On trainees who leave the programme early, MOHH said recovery of liquidated damages may be considered where someone is “unable or unwilling to fulfil the sponsorship obligations” under the agreement.

“However, it is notable that the vast majority of trainees complete their training and continue to serve in the public sector,” the organisation said.

Have something to say? Join in!