For centuries nurses have been taking care of the sick and frail, easing their pain, giving them comfort and helping them in their greatest time of need. However, these hard-working, dedicated individuals are not always given the recognition they deserve for their passionate approach to their work and their selfless actions in helping others. That is why once a year the world acknowledges the incredible gift that nurses give to society.
As part of the Government Employees Medical Scheme's (GEMS) ongoing effort to educate our members and future members on a range of healthcare topics, we would like to explore certain important healthcare issues. This interview with GEMS member and nurse Sr Mary Ramokgopa* looks at the topic of being a nurse this International Nurses Day, 12 May 2012.
What does it mean to be a nurse?
To be a nurse means to be trained in taking care of people in need of medical attention. However, nursing goes much deeper than this simple definition. A nurse must not only attend to the healthcare needs of patients, there is a great deal of personal attention that is also required. This may include offering some words of comfort to a patient who is scared or in pain, holding the hand of a child who is confused and upset or even reaching out to a family that has lost a loved one. Being a nurse is not just about making patients physically well again - it also entails helping them, and sometimes their families, to heal emotionally.
What is it like to be a nurse?
Nursing is one of the most fulfilling jobs you could ever hope to do. Nothing beats the feeling of knowing that you have made a difference in the life of a patient at a time when they are most vulnerable and in need of care. This in turn extends to the families of patients to whom you also bring comfort in the knowledge that their loved one is being well looked after.
Of course, there are times when it can be challenging, as it requires a great deal more commitment than most other professions. Some of your patients are difficult or demanding and you still have to care for them and treat them as you would any other patient. The long working hours can be hard, particularly when you are on the night shift and you have a family to raise. There are also certain risks involved - I once sustained a needle-stick injury, which can potentially lead to an HIV infection. However, none of these issues cannot be overcome - you realise that some patients are being difficult because they are having a very hard time themselves; you find ways to be there for your family despite your long hours; and there is immediate treatment available to prevent HIV infection if you have been stuck with a used needle.
At the end of the day the rewards of being a nurse far outweigh the challenges. There are few other jobs in which you are able to make such a positive impact in people's lives and in which they touch your life in return.
What type of person does a nurse need to be?
While nursing is a wonderful profession and one which I would highly recommend, it is not for everyone. Being on the front lines of healthcare provision requires a certain type of person. The following are some of the most important attributes for a nurse:
A genuine passion for helping to care for people
Good people skills
The ability to work in a team
Recognition that you never stop learning
An ability to remain calm and effective in dramatic situations
It is also important to realise that nursing is not only a profession for women. I know many male nurses who are extremely well respected in the profession for the work they have done. As long as you have the above attributes it does not matter whether you are a man or a woman - you may just make an excellent nurse.
Is becoming a nurse a good career decision?
Yes, as good nurses are always high in demand. However making the decision to enter a career in nursing should be very carefully considered. Being a nurse is a calling, not just a job. To start you absolutely must have all of the above character traits. You must also be willing to put in a lot of hours of studying and be patient if you want to make it to the top of the profession as you will need to undergo several levels of training, depending on what nursing path you want to follow.
Once you have completed certain training levels and you have spent some time in the nursing environment you will have a better idea of where you want to go with your career. Some nurses decide to study further and specialise in particular areas such as trauma, intensive care, neo-natal care, paediatrics or theatre, for example. Others decide to become a nurse in a home for people with special needs, a doctor's practice, a school or a nurse offering personalised care in the home of a patient. Opportunities also exist to use your knowledge and experience in a managerial role within a corporate or some other form of organisation. There really are no limits to what you can achieve as a nurse.
What are the qualifications to become a nurse?
In South Africa the nursing qualifications are undergoing some changes in the near future and it is therefore important to check with a reputable and recognised nurses training institution as to what qualifications you need to undergo. However, at present the following training courses can be found:
Where can I get more information about how to become a nurse?
There are many nursing colleges around South Africa. The South African Nursing Council (SANC) has a list of all the learning institutions that are approved and recognised. You can contact SANC by calling 012 420 1000 or visiting their website at www.sanc.co.za.
If you would like to know how GEMS can assist you to obtain more information about any of your healthcare needs, you can phone the GEMS call centre on 0860 00 4367 or send a SMS to 083 450 4367. GEMS will assist you in every way possible to ensure your family's health and well-being.
*The Sister's name has been changed to protect her identity.
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