The Exceptional Nurse Campaign invites Capetonians to lace-up their running shoes for the annual Night Run to Honour Nurses on Saturday 3 May.
The 7-km run serves as a tribute to the unwavering dedication of nurses and a fundraiser to address the critical shortage of nursing staff in South Africa.
It starts at the lighthouse in Mouille Point at 18:00.
The 7 km distance symbolises the 07:00 to 19:00 shifts that nurses tirelessly work, highlighting the demanding nature of their profession.
Sister Teresa Basson, founder of The Exceptional Nurse Campaign, emphasises the event’s significance: “The purpose of the night run is to raise awareness of the critical shortage of professional nurses in South Africa and to promote a culture of honour and gratitude towards all. Nurses play an essential role in the medical profession and healthcare system. We hope that through the work of The Exceptional Nurse Campaign and events that we host, we can change the tide of negative sentiment by highlighting all of the ‘exceptional nurses’ that help create beautiful miracles every day. Nurses do not only form the backbone, but the beating heart of our healthcare system.”
South Africa faces a severe nursing crisis, with an estimated shortage of over 30 000 professional and specialist nurses in the government sector.
This disparity results in a patient-to-nurse ratio of 25:1, placing immense pressure on healthcare providers and compromising patient care.
Alarmingly, 50% of the nation’s nurses are over age 50 and are approaching retirement within the next 10 to 15 years. This impending wave of retirements, coupled with the current training capacity, exacerbates the urgency of the situation.
The Exceptional Nurse Campaign aims to mitigate this crisis by raising funds for bursaries to support nursing students, encouraging experienced nurses to specialise in education, and fostering public appreciation for the nursing profession.
Entry costs R130 and R70 for children under 12 at https://theexceptionalnurse.org.za/.
