{"id":49836,"date":"2023-05-12T16:25:46","date_gmt":"2023-05-12T14:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/nurses-at-groote-schuur-hospital-honoured-for-the-critical-role-they-play-20230512\/"},"modified":"2025-03-19T20:55:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T18:55:45","slug":"nurses-at-groote-schuur-hospital-honoured-for-the-critical-role-they-play-20230512","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/peoplespost\/nurses-at-groote-schuur-hospital-honoured-for-the-critical-role-they-play-20230512\/","title":{"rendered":"Nurses at Groote Schuur Hospital honoured for the critical role they play"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It is often a thankless job that requires long hours and demanding situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the nursing staff is the backbone of the healthcare system and on International Nurses Day, celebrated annually on 12 May, nurses are honoured for the critical role they play in healthcare and emergency response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day commemorates the anniversary of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale\u2019s birth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The nurses at Groote Schuur Hospital were honoured today (12 May) during a celebratory event at the Nico Malan recreational hall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The theme for this year\u2019s celebrations is \u2018Our Nurses, Our Future.\u2019  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"The

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The day commemorates the anniversary of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale\u2019s birth. <\/div>\n
People\u2019s Post<\/span> Kaylynne Bantom<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"Staff

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Staff strutting their stuff. <\/div>\n
People\u2019s Post<\/span> Kaylynne Bantom<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dawood Peters, Assistant Nursing Manager: ICU, says he became an \u201caccidental nurse\u201d about 38 years ago. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy aunt organised a December holiday job for me and two friends at Groote Schuur Hospital. We started as scholar nurses and worked in orthopaedics. I enjoyed working with people and that was where my passion developed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI never thought I would be a nurse. I always thought it was more like a woman\u2019s job. But for me, the area where I worked in orthopaedic, I realised it was not just for women, so I settled in quickly.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He says he did not return to school but finished his matric part-time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy teacher was upset that I did not return to school to finish my matric. I finished my matric by attending night school while still working. From there, I did the staff nurse course and completed another two-year course to become a general nurse. I did a one-year midwifery course as well.\u201d Peters says he has not looked back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn 1996, I moved to GF Jooste Hospital and worked there for 17 years and returned to Groote Schuur Hospital as an operational manager. I later applied for the assistant nursing manager position, which is still my current position.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Peters says he still finds satisfaction in his job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI love the interaction with patients. I love that I get to teach people things. To celebrate this day with my colleagues is great. As nurses, we have been going through a tough time during Covid-19. We need to appreciate our nurses.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Local

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Local artist, Anslin Gysman and his band entertained the crowd. <\/div>\n
People\u2019s Post<\/span> Kaylynne Bantom<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"Staff

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Staff were serenaded with two song items by children from Grotties Childcare Centre. <\/div>\n
People\u2019s Post<\/span> Kaylynne Bantom<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Rochelle Africa pursued a career in nursing six years ago, following the death of her great-grandmother, who suffered from dementia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI decided to become a nurse because I helped my mom and grandmother care for my great-grandmother. I love helping people. To me, it is always great seeing a person discharged after you have cared for them. When they thank you, it makes it even more special.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Africa says although the profession comes with its challenges, she would not change it for anything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have a passion for my job and on International Nurses Day all nurses are honoured for their hard work.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Achmat Mohamed, Director of Nursing at the hospital, says: \u201cWe are celebrating Florence Nightingale, but also the role of nurses. We are the backbone of the healthcare system in the country and the world. When you are born, a nurse is with you. When you die in a hospital, a nurse is there with you. Part of your development as a child, a nurse will be with you all the time.\u201d Mohamed says nurses played a critical role during the Covid-19 pandemic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe had a pandemic recently. If you took the nurse out of the equation, we would have been in a disaster. Nurses were there with the roll-out of the vaccinations, nurses manage the hospitals over weekends, public holidays and at night. There is always a nurse at the table.\u201d  He believes nurses should be celebrated daily. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are always busy. But as a manager, I always try to acknowledge staff throughout the year. But it is never enough to thank all our health care workers, especially nurses.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Nursing

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Nursing assistants are from left, Sharan Serelinci, Anina Meiring, Nazlee Rasmus and Tandiswe Ndugane.<\/div>\n
People\u2019s Post<\/span> Kaylynne Bantom<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"Dawood

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Dawood Peters, Assistant Nursing Manager: ICU, has been in the profession for the past 38 years. <\/div>\n
People\u2019s Post<\/span> Kaylynne Bantom<\/span> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Dr Nomonde Mbatani, a senior lecturer and Clinical Head of the Gynae Oncology Unit at the hospital, was the guest speaker. She encouraged staff to stay true to the cause and to serve patients with dignity. Staff was also serenaded with two songs by children from Grotties Childcare Centre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Local singer Anslin Gysman entertained the crowd and thanked nurses for their hard work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThank you for all that you do. I am so happy to celebrate with you and to honour you for the work you do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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