International Nurses Day, an annual observance held on 12 May commemorating the birth of Florence Nightingale, was established in 1974 by the International Council of Nurses and serves to highlight the significant role nurses fulfill in healthcare.
On Friday the 13th of May Goodwood Clinic had their International Nurses Day celebration under the banner of “Nurses, a force for change: a vital resource for health” hosted by their health promoter Naomi Mingo.
Sr Viola Hartzenberg welcomed everyone. Sr Hartzenberg, clinical nurse practitioner, said being able to celebrate International Nurses Day means so much to her, she can live out her passion and see that patients get better. “It is an absolute pleasure to see patients get better.”
Hartzenberg has been in this profession for 35 years and at Goodwood clinic for the last 15 years. When asked why she became a professional nurse she said it has always been her dream since her early childhood. When she saw how sick people got better in her community, she wanted to make a change.
During the pandemic it was absolute chaos to be a nurse.
“We were anxious, at times we did not know if we were coming or going, but we were there for our patients, and it was worth it.”
Hartzenberg encouraged other nurses and caregivers by saying “there will be many obstacles being a nurse, but we are here to render a service and to live out a passion to make people healthy”.
Tikiswa Sambane, staff nurse at Goodwood Clinic, said she loves her job. She has been a nurse for 14 years and has been working at Goodwood Clinic for two years.
“Because I love my job, I want to help people suffering in hospitals. During the first lockdown it was not easy, it was hectic. But I pledged I am going to do my work no matter the circumstances.’’
Goodwood Ward Councillor Cecile Janse van Rensburg addressed the nurses on this day. Janse van Rensburg made emphasis of how the nurses should take time out to look after themselves. She said looking after themselves is important because the schedule of a nurse is hectic.
“They should forget about work for a while and first take care of themselves.”
The nurses then got spoiled by Shannon Wyngaard, an occupational therapist working for the department of health and wellness within the northern Tygerberg substructure. She services Bothasig CDC, Goodwood CDC, Durbanville CDC and Elsies River CHC.
Wyngaard said, “I was asked to do a session on stress management”. Stress is experienced by all and particularly in the medical field among nurses working in a fast-paced environment. So, the session was aimed at highlighting how stress impacts the body, for example, increased heart rate, increased breath rate, tense muscles. And then equipping them with some tools to combat those stress responses through conscious movement and breath work.
“I took them through a 10-minute breathing and movement sequence inspired by chair yoga. It is a sequence they can use throughout the day right at their desk to check in with themselves, their bodies, and promote a calmer state of being,” Wyngaard said.
Ramokoatsi Tsholo from Hospersa discussed the nursing dress code with the staff which will change and be in full operation as of next year September. He also complimented the clinic for its cleanliness.
Sr Helen Lewies, operational manager at Goodwood Clinic, concluded the celebration by thanking the staff for a job well done.
