Centre for Asian Nursing Studies (CANS)
Explore how CANS builds partnerships and drives nursing research, education, and innovation across Asia. Connect with us to collaborate and shape the future of nursing.
About Us
Origin Story
Due to interest from Asian nursing leaders in TTSH Nursing, CANS was developed in 2016 with the aim to:
1. Nurture impactful partnerships to advance Nursing Research, Education and Innovation
2. Connect TTSH nurses to global health and facilitate co-learning opportunities
The Impetus for Change
Today’s Problems are Tomorrow’s Burdens
Greater complexity and demand from an aging population
⅓ of Singaporeans ≥ 65yrs by 2035
More seniors with multiple chronic conditions
Care shifting from hospitals to virtual spaces, homes and community as demand exceeds acute capacity
Rising burden on healthcare financing
2009: S$3.7B → 2020: S$15.2B → 2030: $27B
Manpower = 60% of healthcare spending (Unsustainable, reform needed quickly)
Fragmented health and social care
Smaller families → Fewer caregivers
Increase in isolated seniors living alone (2018: 58K → 2030: 83K) = ↑ hospitalisation risk
Need for up-skilled workforce and wellbeing strategies
Digital skills, hybrid care
Support staff through managing burnout (∵ ↑ case complexity) and work flexibility
Vision
Catalyse Great Nursing for Humanity
Mission
Shape the future work of nurses
Grow the future nursing workforce
Evolve the future workplace for Asian Nursing and beyond
Opportunities
To catalyse the:
Adoption of New Models of Care & Practices
Development of Future Ready Leaders
Deepening of Partnerships Across Ecosystems
Reinvention of Care Delivery through Process and Job Redesign
Strategic Framework
Key Initiatives
CANS key initiatives by focus area
Thought Leadership | Knowledge Sharing | Showcase and Community Building | Facilitate Collaborations with Nursing |
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Leadership Development
N-LEAGUE Pilot Programme
📸 Cohort 001 of N-LEAGUE at their outdoor experiential day. This pilot programme focuses on leadership onboarding together with nurse leaders across various ranks
NHG Young Nursing Workforce Co-Creation Forum
📸 50 young nurses under 40 years old came together at the inaugural NHG Young Nursing Workforce Forum to reimagine future of nursing roles.
Coming Soon: Workforce Leadership Webinar Series
Workforce Transformation
Smart Nursing Exhibition Showcase @ SHBC 2024
📸 At SHBC 2024, CANS Faculty Members showcased Smart Ward innovations highlighting how technologies can transform care.
Driving Value with Innovation: Leveraging AI for Fall Risk Management
📸 On 16 May, CANS hosted a symposium on AI in fall prevention, spotlighting how nurse-led tech is transforming patient safety across care settings.
Liquid Nursing Sharing Series
📸 Over a series of closed-door webinars and a face-to-face session with SBS, we explored how flexible work models like Liquid Nursing can better support both staff wellbeing and care needs on the ground.
Clinical Excellence
Infectious Disease Webinar Series
📸 An ongoing series by our CANS Faculty from NCID, where we explore different infectious diseases, to understand how knowledge, systems, and cross-sector collaboration come together to protect communities.
Building Communities of Practice with Siriraj Hospital
📸 Dr Hoi and Ms Thochaporn Tesasil (Director of Nursing, Siriraj Hospital) mark a new milestone in bilateral nursing collaboration. As CANS’ first regional Steering Committee member, Ms Thochaporn will help build Communities of Practice to drive shared learning and leadership across Asia.
Our Network
At CANS, network development catalyse our mission where we build Partnerships and Platforms that connect ideas, grow communities and elevate the future of nursing
Who We Impact
Building communities is just the beginning; we believe that meaningful transformation in nursing and healthcare begins with connection. By creating spaces where our different stakeholders can come together to work with our nurses, we lay the groundwork for care models to evolve, ideas to scale, and leadership to grow.
Healthcare/ Cross-Industry Partners
Acting as a “Window into the Nursing World” for Healthcare and Cross-Industry Partners
A platform to connect healthcare institutions and cross-industry partners to nurses who are also subject matter practitioners/experts for meaningful collaboration
Nursing Leaders
Acting as a “Window to the World” for Nursing Leaders
A platform for nursing leaders to co-lead, build networks, and generate Asian thought leadership.
Provides opportunities for nursing leaders to learn from/collaborate with leaders in external industries.
Bedside Nurse
Acting as a “Window to the World” for Bedside Nurses
A platform to connect industry stakeholders and other institutions to the right nurses to showcase and scale their work.
A platform for nurses to network with other nurses to share their knowledge.
Para-Nurses/ General Public
Acting as a “Window into the Nursing World” for Para-Nurses
Connect industry stakeholders and tap on alternative resources in the community to share the care workload safely and meaningfully.
Upcoming Events
Check our events date:
1 - 2 July 2026 | Smart Health Asia 2026 (smarthealthasia.com (opens in new tab)) |
Connect with Us
Watch this space for our upcoming events in October 2025!
Join us in catalysing conversation through:
Centre for Asian Nursing Studies @ CHILD (Knowledge Management Portal): CHILD (opens in new tab)
LinkedIn: Centre for Asian Nursing Studies (opens in new tab)
Stay tuned to our social media pages for upcoming events and initiatives.
If you are interested in partnering with us for any of the above, fill in the CANS interest form If you are interested in partnering with us for any of the above, fill in the CANS interest form (opens in new tab)and we will get in touch with you.