Marilyn Koh
Nurse Clinician
The Quiet Lessons Patients Leave Behind
For Nurse Clinician Marilyn, nursing has always been about care in its most human form. Even from the start of her journey, she was drawn to the idea of being present for people—not just through treatment, but through kindness, attention, and understanding.
Over the years, she says that patient after patient has only deepened that belief. Each encounter has taught her something small but lasting and slowly shaped the way she chooses to show up in her work every day.
One patient who stayed with her was a bedridden woman who needed full assistance with daily care. During routine shifts, Marilyn would help with basic needs such as sponge baths. But she also noticed something quieter—the patient seemed to have lost a sense of herself through her illness.
On her own time, she came back to gently wash and style the patient’s hair.
It was a simple act, but one that stayed with her. The patient, who had not felt like herself in months, lit up in a way that reminded Marilyn how deeply people long to be seen—not just cared for clinically, but cared for as individuals.
Since then, Marilyn has carried each patient experiences with her. In outpatient care, she often meets people who are anxious, uncertain, or trying to make sense of long-term conditions. With every interaction, she finds herself learning again—about patience, fear, and the small reassurances that can make a difference.
She has come to understand that care does not end when the consultation ends. Sometimes it is a follow-up call, sometimes it is taking a little more time to explain something clearly, and sometimes it is simply making sure a patient knows they are not alone.
Another patient who left a mark on her was an elderly woman who ate very slowly due to her condition. Mealtimes were often rushed, and Marilyn could see how much pressure it created.
Whenever she could, she would sit with her and feed her slowly, at her own pace, without rushing. Sometimes they would talk about family; other times, they would simply sit in quiet company.
Over time, the patient became calmer and more at ease.
For Marilyn, these moments reinforce something she now holds closely: every patient teaches her something. And in return, she quietly makes a promise to herself—to carry forward a small act of kindness, patience, or compassion into the next person she meets.
It is a way of working that feels less like a role, and more like a responsibility she renews every day.
Outside of work, she spends time with friends over long meals, conversations, and simple shared routines like walking or exercising together. It helps her stay grounded and reminds her of life beyond the clinic.
If there is one thing she has come to believe, it is that nursing is not only about what is done for patients, but also what stays with you after each encounter.
And for Marilyn, what stays is the quiet lesson each patient leaves behind—and the decision to carry it forward with care.
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