Called to Nursing -A journey

By Thembinkosi Hermina Nxumalo

Called to Nursing-A journey is a book about personal encounters by a retired nurse, Thembinkosi Hermina Nxumalo where she shares life experiences as a nurse before the South African democratic government in 1994 and after the transition to the new dispensation. She shares valuable life experiences as a nurse at the time and also the strong friendships that were established with different people from different countries that walked into her life in those days. Her exciting personal life experiences are also shared through recalling her special moments, such as the birth of her beautiful children.

This book is also ideal for motivating anyone who aspires to be a nurse because it explains how rewarding and fulfilling a profession it is when you have been called to nursing. It is has been written with such fond memories and humour, which makes it difficult for any avid reader to stop reading until the very end. Some of the special moments of the author were captured in photographs which have been included in this edition as she relived the moment.

The book consists of 20 short and exciting book chapters that cover the nursing journey of Thembinkosi from training until retirement as a highly trained and skilled nurse. It is a book written by a nurse who lived to serve her community with diligence, love, compassion and dedication.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Aug 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9780620805582

Book preview

GLOSSARY

Chapter One

TRAINING 1956 TO 1960

Baragwanath Hospital is not only the biggest hospital in the country but also in the Southern hemisphere.

It is a general and specialist hospital in many medical fields. It was globally renowned for its high standards of general and specialised medical care.

The nursing training was also of a very high standard. We were subjected strict discipline in terms of work quality and standards. The tutors were highly qualified and demanded consistent high standards of work throughout. We did not just pay lip service to teamwork but it was something that we practiced all the time.

We worked very closely with the medical teams, medical students, doctors, social workers, therapists and support services. Quite often volunteers and church groups came to assist patients in one way or another, especially in the paediatric wards and chronic wards.

The matron during that time was Miss Agnes Simpson, a lady who was admired and also feared but dignified and greatly respected by all. Although we feared her, whenever you got called to the office, she would be kind, warm and motherly. To this day, I still admire her ability to unite teams of various personalities and cultures and form a huge service force that she marshalled with wisdom to function smoothly as she did.

Training in at an institution like Baragwanath gave me a good, well-rounded experience and foundation in every field of nursing. I worked very hard and at times I excelled at my work. In my first year, I did exceptionally well in Anatomy Physiology where I was the only candidate in my group that passed with honours. This achievement meant a lot to me and it spurred me on to work even harder.

I consistently performed above average and passed my final exam at first attempt which was a great achievement at that time. I was one of the candidates that were selected for work positions in the hospital after training and was placed in the operating theatres. Most students were allowed to leave on completion of the training.

I came to appreciate that the rigorous training that I received at Baragwanath had prepared me for any challenge in any medical field. I worked at the hospital for few months and then I left to be much closer to home in Natal. I got a post in Eshowe Hospital which my colleagues said was like moving from a city house to a single room. I did not mind because I knew I would adjust, after all I was from humble beginnings. And nursing is all about serving the needy, no matter where one is stationed.

1961-1962 MIDWIFERY TRAINING

I did my midwifery training at King Edward VIII Hospital, which at that time was the best in in the field and was also the biggest Hospital in Natal. This hospital’s maternity section was so busy it was like a mad house. Time went by so quickly and before you realised, a year would be gone. This experience at King Edward gave me a good professional foundation to run busy maternity wards smoothly, and also to be in a position to manage clinics very well in Eshowe.

Maternity wards were extremely busy but we were able to cover the number of prescribed deliveries very easily during this training period. It was both exciting and scary to watch and to actually deliver a baby. Complicated deliveries were sad to watch but where necessary, such as instances where the baby was in distress or a mother’s life was in danger, caesarean sections were performed. It was sad when a deformed baby was born. Most of the deformed babies died soon after birth which was sad for the mother, relatives and us staff. It was always a pleasure to see a mother going home with her baby after delivery.

Chapter Two

THE ESSENCE OF NURSING

Nursing practice in South Africa is regulated by a statutory body, the South African Nursing Council, and it prescribes the scope of practice for each category of nursing.

The essence of nursing is guided by the following principles which should be applied to all patients:

•Hospitality is defined as a friendly, generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers. The word comes from the word hospital, which is described as an institution of medical and surgical treatment or care of the affected. The operative word here is being hospitable, which refers to a friendly reception, and being warm and approachable. That is what every patient should experience.

•One’s disposition should be friendly and approachable. Our patients expect that of nurses, doctors and paramedics.

•Caring is showing concern and interest in the patient. One needs to get to know the patient quickly, scan the file and have an overview of the patient’s profile and background. Patients can feel if the nurse cares about them or not.

•The safety of the patient is important regardless of their age, but more so for children and very ill patients. Be sure that patients are not exposed to any danger, including that of getting infected during their stay in hospital. One should ensure safety without being judgemental, e.g. at Baragwanath Hospital we used to admit gangsters and had to protect them from their opponents who wanted to finish them off, so to speak. We did the same for opposing factions in KwaZulu Natal.

•Listening to the patient is very important and will assist you as the nurse in sourcing the required information which will help you understand the patient’s problems and how they are feeling. This is especially important when you interpret for a doctor who does not understand the patient’s language. The patients may tell a long story which may not be relevant to the doctor’s question, but you need to put it as the patient says. There is a temptation to select what you think the doctor needs to hear. Quite often, African patients will tell a long story about how they became ill. If you select information that you think is relevant to the doctor’s question, the doctor will also complain that the patient has relayed a long story yet you are giving a short sentence. You need to give the version of the story as relayed by the patient, even though it is time consuming but it is necessary.

•Observation is an important principle to follow. There are observations that are part of the care of the patient, like temperature, pulse and respiration. One needs to observe and monitor the progress of the patient, e.g. is he or she responding to treatment or not, is he or she getting better or worse, and then to report these observations to the doctor.

•Watching for signs of depression or anxiety is also important as the patient may be anxious about operations or special procedures; reassure the patient when necessary. Notice adverse reactions to treatment and any administered medication, typically things like outbreaks of rash on the skin.

•Attending to the physical needs of patients. Ensure that patients get adequate nutrition and fluids. Patients usually have poor appetite, you need to help and encourage them to eat and drink where you can. Determine whether they are comfortable or not. The patients should be in pleasant, clean surroundings such as well-ventilated rooms. Ensure that toilet facilities are available and easily accessible, those that are physically unable to get to the toilets should get bed-pans on time. This is especially important when nursing children and very ill patients; keep them clean and dry. Ensure that very ill patients are comfortable right up to the end, and those that are terminally ill should be assisted to ensure that they pass on peacefully and their dignity