On International Nurses Day, May 12th, a female lecturer received a handwritten letter that read: "Teachers have saved my life many times."

On International Nurses Day, May 12th, amidst well wishes for healthcare professionals, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, a lecturer in the Nursing Department at Dai Nam University, received a handwritten letter from a student. Just a few short lines, but she read it over and over again: "Teachers have saved my life many times..."

The writer is a student who once experienced a severe psychological crisis, a period when she almost lost connection with her family, her studies, and herself. For many, it was simply a thank you. But for the young female lecturer, the letter recalled the months she and her colleagues, family, and friends spent persistently keeping a student in the classroom, in life, and in her own future.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, M.Sc. - Lecturer in the Faculty of Nursing, Deputy Secretary of the Youth Union of the Faculty of Nursing, in charge of teaching practical courses and psychiatric nursing.

Few people know that behind the image of a young lecturer who is always close to her students lies a journey of loss, pressure, and days spent studying, working part-time, and caring for a family member battling illness. Perhaps because she has experienced her own traumas, she can more easily recognize the weariness, loneliness, or disorientation in her students' eyes than others.

From top-scoring student to choosing to stand on the giảng platform (teaching podium).

Born in 1998, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly graduated as valedictorian of the Nursing program, class K13, Thai Nguyen University of Medicine and Pharmacy in 2020. During her studies, she spent most of her time in hospitals, interacting with patients, witnessing the pressures and the fragile boundary between life and death.

She initially chose to study Nursing out of a very simple desire: to gain enough knowledge to care for her parents and relatives when they were sick.

Among many career options after graduation, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly chose to stand on the giảng platform, accompanying and nurturing future generations of nurses at Dai Nam University.

The tragedy struck during her final year of university when her father was diagnosed with cancer. During that time, she was juggling studying, internships, and caring for her father in the hospital. Mental and financial pressure, along with the fear of losing a loved one, overwhelmed the young student.

Three months before her graduation, her father passed away. "I had hoped my father could attend my graduation ceremony, but in the end, it was too late..." she recalled.

That loss left her uncertain about the future. But from those days in the hospital, witnessing the dedication of the medical staff and the helplessness of patients' families, she understood the value of nursing – a profession that not only cares for the physical well-being but also supports people's spirits during their weakest moments. After the tragedy, instead of working directly in the hospital, she chose to dedicate herself to academia.

"I am quite sensitive to the suffering of patients. But because of that, I want to train nurses who know how to love and care for patients with empathy."

The journey of keeping students engaged in their studies and life.

Throughout her years as a homeroom teacher, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly has accompanied many students facing academic pressure, psychological crises, or family difficulties. But there is one case that she will never forget.

These are heartfelt words from a "special" student to Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, M.Sc.

The male student almost completely withdrew from everyone after transferring to the Nursing department due to declining academic performance. He became withdrawn, didn't participate in class activities, and often sat alone. Initially, these changes resembled the typical silence of a student under pressure. But then the silence deepened, and his eyes became increasingly vacant.

After only half a semester, the student began exhibiting serious signs of mental instability. At one point, she self-medicated, causing her to experience shortness of breath, seizures, and fainting in class. Through numerous conversations, the teacher learned that the student was experiencing prolonged feelings of loneliness, a lack of will to live, and a near complete disconnect from her family.

No change comes from a word of encouragement or a single conversation. It took months of coordinated efforts between faculty, the department, family, friends, and even the landlord to closely monitor the student; it involved contacting parents, taking the student for checkups, supporting treatment, and patiently making the student believe that they still had value.

Following the intervention, the male student was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and received intensive treatment.

"The hardest thing isn't the academics, but how to convince her that she still has a chance to start over," Ms. Ly shared.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, M.Sc., was commended by the leadership of the Faculty of Nursing - Dai Nam University for her outstanding achievements in teaching and departmental work.

As time passed, the student gradually changed for the better. Her name appeared on the list of scholarship recipients. And then, on International Nurses Day, May 12th, the female lecturer received a handwritten letter with the words: "You have saved me many times." It wasn't a certificate of merit or a professional achievement; it was the gift she would remember most from her many years of teaching.

"Students today need to be listened to more."

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, students today face more psychological pressure than before, especially in health-related fields with high intensity of study and practice. Many students set overly high expectations for themselves, easily leading to disappointment when results don't meet their hopes.

Therefore, outside of class hours, she dedicates extra time to meeting with students, forming study support groups, guiding them through exam preparation, connecting with parents, and encouraging them to participate in group activities to become more open.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly is affectionately called "Mother" by many nursing students.

"I've always thought of students as like my younger brothers and sisters. They need to be listened to, trusted, and have someone to support them during the most difficult times."

At the age of 28, Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly continues to study, research, and teach practical courses in mental health nursing at Dai Nam University.

The letter, which read, "Teachers have saved me many times," is still kept by her. Not as a token of gratitude to herself, but as a reminder of why she stayed in the profession: besides knowledge and skills, sometimes what students need most is someone patient enough to listen and trusting enough not to give up on their behalf.

Some teachers are remembered for their lectures, but others are remembered for staying by their students' side during the most challenging period of their youth. Ms. Nguyen Thi Ly, M.Sc., probably belongs to the second group.