Local nurse stands out
LINKSFIELD - Newly qualified nurse Paola Nkomo of Linksfield Hospital recently excelled at the recent Netcare Education graduation.
Paola Nkomo is one of 1 591 nursing pupils who graduated from Netcare Education’s five South African campuses around South Africa in the past two months. Completing her qualification last year, Nkomo was the recipient of the Academic Award for Enrolled Nurses for Netcare Education’s Gauteng South West Campus.
Nkomo’s road to success was far from easy, however. Her father’s death during her first year of study placed a considerable emotional and financial burden on the young student. In her second year of study, Nkomo’s young daughter fell ill and often had to be left in the care of other family members while Nkomo worked towards her certificate. However, a proud Nkomo has maintained her passion for nursing.
“Nursing is my calling, it is what I’ve always wanted to do. Nothing is more rewarding than helping people feel better,” said Nkomo, who now works as an enrolled nurse at Netcare Linksfield Hospital.
In 25 years’ existence, Netcare Education has developed a national footprint, with campuses in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. Over the past three years, as many as 3 300 pupils have registered annually with Netcare Education’s Faculty of Nursing and Ancillary Healthcare (FNAC), which offers a range of accredited programmes in areas including critical care, operating room nursing, and trauma and emergency nursing. Also on offer are informal and in-service certificate programmes, providing highly specialised nursing knowledge and skills.
“Our courses are designed both for nurses looking to specialise in a particular area and for high school graduates who are interested in pursuing nursing as a career. In addition, Netcare Education offers management development programmes for its own employees. The calibre of our students is impressive, which is illustrated by the fact that 134 of our 2013 graduates were awarded their diplomas and certificates with honours,” said Toy Vermaak, FNAC Manager.
“The knowledge we get from our lecturers and facilitators is invaluable. The courses offered by Netcare Education are of a very high standard, that makes it all the more rewarding,” said Nkomo.
