Chu Li Xin
BSc (Hons) Nursing (Adult), 2022
Malaysia
My mentor would help me anytime I needed it, and also placed a lot of trust in me, giving me the freedom and leeway to enhance my learning as much as possible. “
At 17, I was unsure what to do after secondary school. I considered A-levels and a law foundation course, though my real passion was cooking. In the end, I decided culinary arts could remain a personal hobby rather than a career. My mother encouraged me to pursue a profession focused on helping others, suggesting fields like medicine or nursing. My cousin, who was finishing medical school in Australia, introduced me to the idea of nursing, and it immediately appealed to me. Since I was not fond of chemistry, nursing felt like the better fit.
My mother later found a nursing scholarship offered by a major social enterprise in Malaysia, and I applied. After visiting the campus and attending interviews, I accepted their offer and began my nursing studies. By my third year, I felt confident in my abilities and ready to enter the profession. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted my transition into work. Once restrictions eased and I gained experience as a staff nurse, I realized I wanted to further my education and develop new skills, which led me to pursue a nursing degree at University of the West of England.
I worked in departments such as Medical Day Care and the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit, where I saw how important calm teamwork and communication are in healthcare. Beyond technical skills, I learned that nursing depends heavily on empathy and human connection. Patients are more comfortable and trusting when nurses take time to speak with them personally, listen to their concerns, and build rapport before procedures or treatments.
These experiences confirmed that nursing is the right path for me. My placements showed me the importance of compassion, adaptability, and teamwork, while also helping me grow professionally and personally. Although I am still deciding what to do after graduation, I am considering remaining in the UK for a period because of the opportunities available. For now, I am focused on completing my studies and preparing for the rewarding career ahead.
