Nurses from the Tara and Chris Hani Baragwanath hospitals were honoured at Tara Hospital in Hurlingham on 25 May for International Nurses Day.
The day’s proceedings started with a moving sermon by Reverend Thoko Khambule who praised nurses for their hard work and caring nature. “Nurses work long hours, sometimes on an empty stomach and a full bladder. They are prepared to go that extra mile to take care of others,” he said.
The junior nurses of Tara Hospital gave a dramatic rendition of A day in the life of a nurse, a play which highlights the personal struggles that nurse’s face on a daily basis while still having to maintain a professional work ethic.
CEO of the hospital, Dr Florence Otiano, said outside factors could affect a nurse’s work life dramatically. “Financial pressures, personal pressures and work pressure can lead to an emotional burnout, so to help deal with these pressures, we must work together. Assist your fellow nurses and help each other to cope.”
Special guest and retired Tara nursing services manager, Mmanaledi Maphanga, came all the way from KwaZulu-Natal to present an award for Management and Leadership to nurse Debra Thebeyagae of Tara.
Maphanga also gave a short talk on what made a good nurse and highlighted the importance of acknowledging their hard work. “It is not easy to give your best every day, but as nurses, we have taken an oath to the service of humanity. We must endeavour to practice our profession with conscience and dignity.”
Details: Tara Hospital 011 535 3000.
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