Finding the path to fulfilment
06/05/2024. By Carmelle Wilkinson.
Acting clinical nurse Khai Kamarudin.
When Khai Kamarudin was growing up, there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to be a nurse โ just like his mum.
However, as time went on, he found himself on a completely different path โ one which included a short stint as a light fabrication engineer and a police officer on the front line in Singapore.
โFor as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a nurse,โโ he said.
โMy mum had a wonderful nursing career and when I was eight her profession took us from Singapore to the UK and then to Australia.
โI was excited at the prospect that a career in nursing could open doors and offer so many wonderful opportunities and experiences.โ
However, Khai said his mum wasnโt completely sold on the idea of her son following in her footsteps and tried to talk him out of it.
โI always wanted to be a nurse, but my mum had her reservations. As the main breadwinner for our family, it couldnโt have been easy on her,” he said.
“She worked long hours and I know it was incredibly stressful at times, but I was lucky I still saw mum quite a lot and she always made dad and us kids her highest priority.
โWhen it came time for me to choose a career path, mum suggested I do something in mining, given we lived in WA now, and because I respect my mum and trust her advice, I agreed.
โI didnโt sit my ATAR and instead went through Australiaโs Vocational Education and Training (VET) and got a certificate in light fabrication.โ
Khai landed his first job at an engineering factory in Willetton, and despite financial security and being surrounded by a great group of work mates, there was still an itch that needed to be scratched.
โI just knew something wasnโt right. I wasnโt deeply fulfilled, and I started to feel like a cog in a machine,โโ he said.
About a year later, Khai was called back to his native country of Singapore to undertake two years of compulsory national service.
Dependant on a personโs medical history, aptitude test results, educational background and operational needs, young men were placed in either Singapore Armed Forces, Singapore Civil Defence Force or Singapore Police Force.
โI got into the police force and worked for more than a year on the front line,โโ he said.
โThat was a huge culture shock, as I hadnโt lived in Singapore since I was eight and I didnโt really know my extended relatives that well, aside from speaking a few times over Facebook.โ
As a fresh faced 18-year-old in the police force, Khai said he found the experience both challenging and enriching.
Khai (centre) as a guard of honour during his time on the Singapore Police Force.
โAs tough as it was, Iโm so grateful for that experience, because I truly believe it helped me develop and grow into the person I am today,โโ he said.
When Khai returned to Perth, he decided to waste no time in pursuing his true passion โ nursing.
โBut of course, when you get back to reality, and you return to your same job, that confidence slowly chips away. And I still had that nagging sound of my mumโs voice in my head telling me not to do it,โโ he laughed.
โI also wasnโt taught about alternative pathways to university, so I assumed because I didnโt sit my ATAR test, I could never study nursing anyway.
โBut thankfully a good friend of mine explained it was possible and introduced me to UniReady.โ
After passing with flying colours, Khai got into Curtinโs nursing program.
As for telling his Mumโฆ
โShe was ok with it. I think at that point she respected me as an adult and was like, oh well what can I do?โ haha.
โI couldnโt be led by someoneโs elseโs experience, even if that person was my mum, I really needed to experience nursing for myself.โ
Graduating in 2021, Khai was promoted to Acting Clinical Nurse at Fiona Stanley Hospital in 2023.
Khai at his graduation with his parents Hamidah Buang and Kamarudin Yusof.
Khaiโs family have always been his biggest support team.
โFor me, I always wanted a role where I could develop a rapport with my patients as well as provide them with a high level of care and service,โโ he said.
โIn the spinal ward, patients are usually there for an extended period of time, so itโs wonderful seeing their progress and knowing I had some part to play in that.โ
Khai said helping patients overcome the mental and physical trauma of a spinal injury was something he didnโt take lightly.
โThe people we see on the ward have life-changing spinal injuries, whether thatโs due to trauma, disease or a neurological disorder,โโ he said.
Khai said it was important to squash the stigma that nurses only provided bedside care and gave medications.
โThere is so much more to nursing. Some days providing a listening ear and giving a patient space to open up is equally as important as administering their treatment. The healing journey isnโt just physical,โโ he said.
Khai said becoming an acting clinical nurse had enabled him to further his studies and really push himself beyond his wildest expectations.
โYes, there are challenges that arise, especially from managing and coordinating your peers and staff, but Iโve learnt to overcome that,โโ he said.
โIโve also been fortunate to receive some great advice from my mum, who worked as a nurse manager for many years.โ
So, what has been her best advice?
โHer advice is when people seek help with any issues or problems, you need to find a way to build their confidence and guide them on how to best manage the issues, so that you work collaboratively to resolve any problems instead of solving the issues for them,โโ he said.
Looking back on his career journey, Khai said it was important to trust your gut.
Khai has a strong interest in helping others.
โIf there is something you really want to do, my advice is go for it. Youโll regret it if you donโt,โโ he said.
โAnd I know this sounds super cheesy, but honestly just follow your heart, it will lead you to fulfilment and where you truly want to be.โ
As for anyone contemplating a nursing degree at Curtinโฆ
โI absolutely loved Curtin, and I would one hundred per cent recommend the nursing course,โโ he said.
โThe only thing I will say is, make sure you have a strong passion and interest in helping others. Because some days the job can feel thankless and there will be challenges that arise, but for those who really want to serve and make a difference โ itโs incredibly rewarding.
โThere are also endless opportunities within the profession too. Your nursing degree can take you anywhere. You can start as an ED nurse, be promoted to a clinical nurse, and one day an educator.โ
Khaiโs long term goal is to become a nurse practitioner who specialises in spinal rehabilitation.
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