Behind the Scenes: The Hearts Behind Our Care

Honouring the Nurses behind the uniforms

There is a side of nursing that medication rounds and care plans will never fully capture.

It lives in the quiet moments — brushing a resident’s hair before breakfast, helping someone video call family overseas, sharing tea around the dining table, or sitting beside a resident who simply needs someone to listen.

This International Nurses Day, we honour the nurses behind the uniforms — the women who bring comfort, dignity and humanity into every corner of our facilities.

Pictured above: Sister Mala

The Little Things That Matter Most

For Sister Mala, nursing has always been about far more than medical care.

“Nursing is not all about medical services. It is providing human and emotional connection with another human being.”

Her days are filled with the small but meaningful acts that make residents feel at home — assisting with shopping and technology, decorating rooms with family photographs and colourful bedding, sharing laughs during tea time, and creating moments of normalcy for residents whose loved ones may live far away.

One of her favourite parts of the day is her morning rounds, where she checks in with both residents and staff.

“As the day progresses, I get to assess the success of the care plans… mentoring the carers and facilitating in-service programmes makes it all worthwhile.”

She says one of the most rewarding feelings is being recognised outside of work by former residents and family members who still remember the care they received years later.

Pictured above: Sister Fiona

Being Present Through Every Season of Life

For Sister Fiona, nursing is about showing up fully for people during their most vulnerable moments.

“Just being there, availing myself, my time as well as skills gives me comfort knowing that I did all that I could for them.”

She reflects on emotionally difficult days caring for critically ill residents, supporting families through end-of-life decisions, and navigating moments where despite everyone’s best efforts, loss still arrives.

During one particularly difficult shift involving two critically ill elders, she relied heavily on teamwork, emotional resilience and brief moments to breathe and regroup.

“I had to take small deep breathing exercise breaks and debrief with the team.”

Yet alongside the difficult moments are joyful ones too — exercise sessions, dancing afternoons and music-filled gatherings where residents light up remembering songs and dance moves from their younger years.

“This gives me great joy when they are smiling during the process.”

Pictured above: Sister Alvina

When Nursing Becomes Family

For Sister Alvina, nursing has shaped the way she understands both life and loss.

“Nursing has equipped me to understand life as a whole and value every moment we have.”

Having experienced the loss of both her parents in the past year, she says nursing helped her remain strong and grounded while supporting her family through grief.

At Tafta On Ridge, one of the traditions closest to her heart happens after an elder passes away. The nursing team gathers together to sing, pray and stand guard of honour as a final farewell.

“It is absolutely beautiful to be a part of this activity as it gives strength to the family and allows us… to give a proper farewell to the elder who we have grown attached to.”

It is moments like these that remind us nursing is not only clinical — it is deeply personal.

Pictured above: Sister Salo

Finding Joy in Human Connection

For Sister Salo, the most meaningful moments are often the simplest ones.

“The moments that make me feel most human in this job is when I touch the residents’ lives by making them feel happy, comfortable and content with their aging process.”

She remembers the emotional difficulty of losing the very first resident she cared for, but says her faith helped her find peace knowing she had done everything possible to care for her with dignity.

She also recalls the joy of giving a resident a Walkman so she could once again listen to the Hindu music she loved.

“She was overjoyed and that made me happy too.”

Today, one of the highlights of her mornings is simply greeting residents during rounds and seeing how excited they are to see familiar faces.

More Than A Profession

Across all our facilities, nursing is made up of countless unseen acts of care.

It is patience during confusion.
Calmness during emergencies.
Music drifting through hallways.
Tea shared around a table.
Morning greetings that brighten someone’s day.
A final prayer whispered with dignity and love.

Today, on International Nurses Day, we celebrate every nurse who gives not only their skills – but their heart.

Thank you for the comfort you bring, the strength you carry, and the humanity you give so freely every single day.

Happy International Nurses Day.