Nursing has become a prime choice for many school leavers as it promises a rewarding career in a noble profession.

Cutting edge nursing programme at Nilai UC
When a patient is admitted to a hospital, he or she will only get a limited period of time with the doctor, specialist or surgeon. The nursing personnel usually undertake the bulk of the patient's recovery process. It is the nurses who constantly monitor the patient's recuperation by ensuring the patient's comfort as well as administering the doctor's instructions.

With the ever-improving standard of living, it is no surprise that more people are placing greater emphasis on health. Hence the explosion of healthcare and wellness centres; inevitably this leads to greater demand of skilled and qualified professionals such as nurses. Nilai University College (Nilai UC) has been at the forefront of trying to meet this burgeoning demand. Its nursing department has grown from strength to strength and Nilai UC has continually strived to provide its students with a cutting edge. One example of its efforts was the recent signing of MoU with Oxford Brookes University, UK with a view to having a degree programme at Nilai UC. It also signed a MoU with Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI) enabling its students to experience an overseas stint at the latter's state-of-the-art facility in India.

Norashikin Cheong Bt Abdullah is the head of Nilai UC's nursing department. Here she answers some of the frequently asked questions regarding nursing as career.

When was Nilai UC's Diploma in Nursing launched and how has this programme grown since then?
The Diploma in Nursing programme was approved by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) and Malaysian Nursing Board in 2004. It was accredited in 2007 Lembaga Akreditasi Negara (now known as Malaysian Qualifications Agency) The first intake was in January 2005. Yes, the programme has grown substantially since the first intake and to-date, there are over 500 students pursuing this programme at Nilai UC.

Can you explain the incredible demand for nurses over the last few years?
The demand is reflective of the increasing number of public and private healthcare centres. But the demand is also due to the fact that a great number of practising nurses are approaching retirement age. There is a huge void that needs to be filled. Do not forget that many fresh graduates also opt to work in countries such as Saudi Arabia where the remuneration is considerably higher.

According the World Health Organization (WHO) the ratio of nurses to patients in a developed nation should be 1:200. Presently in Malaysia, the ratio is 1:500 (sources from Taklimat Program Kejururawatan by the Sektor Pengurusan IPTS, Palm Garden Hotel, IOI Resort, Putrajaya, 12 Feb 2008), hence Malaysia will need quite a number of nurses before that target is achieved.

Stats. Refer to the table below.

(Source from Taklimat Program Kejururawatan by the Sektor Pengurusan IPTS, Palm Garden Hotel, IOI Resort, Putrajaya, 12 Feb 2008)

Is there any sponsorship plan at Nilai UC for Nursing students?
Yes, most of the students are sponsored by Medical centres and by Training Division of Ministry of Health.

How would you describe the employment prospects for nurses at the moment and who are the biggest employers?
Let me put it this way, have you ever heard of an unemployed nurse? Qualified nurses are hugely marketable and this is not just in Malaysia. There is a demand in many countries for their skills. They are vital in a patient's recovery process and the very heartbeat and soul of any healthcare institution. So the main employers will be hospitals. But there are an increasing number of wealthy clients who can afford private nursing care which is very lucrative.

What traits must a person have to succeed as a nurse?
As nurses will be caring for the sick and infirm, it is imperative that students possess a caring and compassionate attitude. A polite and positive demeanour is also very important. All these traits will be especially important when nurses have to deal with highly stressful situations. It makes a big difference when a nurse can cope and still have smile on his or her face.

How would you convince school leavers and their parents to consider a career in Nursing?
Successful graduates have a very bright future as demand far exceeds supply and that trend is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, Nilai UC's nursing programme incorporates an overseas training stint with CHRI will also greatly improve the marketability of our nurses.

What are the benefits of doing the Diploma in Nursing programme at Nilai UC?
Besides the aforementioned opportunity for international posting, Nilai UC's nursing students will be studying in a 105-acre award-winning campus that is highly conducive for education. You will also be fraternising with an international student body comprising of over 50 different nationalities. Nilai UC thus affords you a unique university campus-style environment and the guidance of dedicated nursing lecturers and clinical instructors in our department. The ratio of student to staff in both didactic and clinical components meets the guidelines set up by the Malaysian Nursing Board.

Who are Nilai UC's industry partners in the Diploma in Nursing programme?
So far Nilai UC has signed MoU's with Oxford Brookes University, UK with a view to providing a B.A (Hons) in Nursing programme to be completed entirely on our campus. The MoU with Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute will grant us the opportunity to send our students for an overseas training stint. We also have close ties with many of the leading hospitals which provide our students with the necessary practical experience.

What are nursing graduates academic options after they have completed their Diploma?
Graduates can opt to further their studies at degree level. Upon graduation with a diploma and with two-years of working experience, graduates can top-up their diploma to degree level in a two-year post-registration programme.

Nilai UC is located in the picturesque suburb of Putra Nilai which is a mere 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur City Centre. It is also just a short distance away from the IT-hub of Cyberjaya and the administrative capital of Putrajaya. The Kuala Lumpur International Airport is a short 15-minutes away.For more information on Nilai UC and its various courses, please visit www.nilai.edu.my or call 03-850 2338.