“There are some nurses who need to improve their ethics and professionalism.”
This sentiment was shared by Ugu Health District Ethics and Professionalism champion, Thoko Ntuli during a commemorative event of International Nurses Day which is observed annually on May 11.
The Port Shepstone Regional Hospital celebrated the event at the St Martin DePorres School recently.
Under the 2022 theme: “A voice to lead – invest in nursing and respect rights to secure global health”, health workers from around the district attended the event. It included Ugu health district director, Linda Dlamini, nursing managers of local hospitals, labour unions representatives, Port Shepstone nursing campus principal and lecturers, retired nurses, and current serving nurses from the regional hospital.
Ntuli said some nurses need to improve their ethics and professionalism. She added that great improvement could be seen if all nurses could have a conscience and remember that every man is a creation of God, and thus deserve to be treated with utmost love and respect, regardless of their religion, culture, colour, educational level, or social standing in society.
According to the hospital’s public relations officer, Phumza Morai, speakers on the day agreed that nurses are truly the pillar of the healthcare service.
She added that speakers said nurses are active people who are also responsible for helping others from birth, right up to the stage where they give their last breath. “Nurses must be celebrated and encouraged to remain a beacon of light in our communities,” said Morai.
She added that the highlight of the day was the launch of the hospital’s nursing drum majorettes who provided a spectacular show for those who attended the celebration.
Meanwhile, Morai said the drum majorettes in the nursing profession are an old tradition that sets a good example of discipline, respect, professionalism, and teamwork.
“It teaches nurses to follow the good example set by their leaders and encourages them to keep up with professional ethics, execute their work efficiently and with utmost dedication.”
The day’s keynote speaker, Linda Dlamini encouraged nurses to heal the world by upholding their noble nursing standards and serving the community with humanity. “Let no patients leave your ward or consulting room not feeling better than when they came in,” said Dlamini.
Also, awards were given to all the nursing staff and units for outstanding performance in the 2021 financial year.
