Hello! I hope that you are having a great day. Welcome to my blog, the Conversion Nurse.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my previous colleagues and batchmates for being part of my journey in healthcare. You have motivated me to this day, and this is where I have progressed.

Here’s some information about myself: I am Marcus, 25, from Singapore, a current Year 1 Higher Nitec in Nursing Student at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). I was a secondary three dropout and wouldn’t say I am a study-type person. According to the VAK (Visual, Auditory, and Kinaesthetic) learning style, I am more of a Kinaesthetic learner. I started my first part-time job at the age of 15. I was a gamer and keenly interested in Information Technology (IT). I loved doing walkthroughs and created some montages for gaming. Learned programming, web development, server management, and doing online business.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, not long after I completed my national service (NS), it was hard to get a job in the early stages. So, I decided to start working as a security officer (SO) in the hospitality industry. I was a provost in the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), so I was exempted from taking the necessary Workforce Skills Qualification (WSQ) courses to qualify to become an SO. After working part-time and full-time for five months, I decided to try something new and left to work as a retail assistant in a supermarket.

I first entered the healthcare industry after my contract ended and worked as a vaccination assistant at a Vaccination Centre (VC) in March 2021, and moving forward to other healthcare projects such as Swab Operations (SWO), Community Isolation Facility (CIF), COVID-19/Community Treatment Facility (CTF), and Transitional Care Facility (TCF) as a swab assistant (SA), safety and security manager (SSM; it is just a title 😂), and healthcare assistant (HCA).

In my free time now, I listen to music, try to exercise once a week, and love to sleep.

Why did I start making this blog? In April 2023, when I left working as an SSM at the TCF, I decided to progress further in the healthcare industry. I started enrolling in a SkillsFuture Career Transition Programme (SCTP) WSQ Higher Certificate in Healthcare (Therapy Support) programme at HMI Institute.

Shortly after, the application for the Career Conversion Programme for Enrolled Nurses (CCP-EN) was opened. I immediately applied, and the whole process took months. There were many blanks and questions in my mind throughout the period. The ITE has also started its 3-year (January intake) and 2-year (April intake) Higher Nitec in Nursing courses this year. The last batch of Nitec would be the current Year 2 students.

It would be great if I could share my experiences with those who:
1. Considering applying for CCP Sponsorship as a mid-career switcher from healthcare or other industries.
2. In-service employees who have worked in the organisation long.
3. Might be keen on the Higher Nitec course.
4. Wants to know what it takes to work in the health industry.
Or loves content 😂

I would get to touch up my web development and server management skills, which I have lost touch with for years due to work commitments. Also, I could improve my writing skills by creating content, reflection, and memories.

I was once inspired by a nurse. I hope my blog motivates you to join the healthcare journey, as there is always a high demand.

~Cheers!