GROWING up in Umlazi, Hlengiwe Sithole (39) always dreamed of one day becoming a nurse.
Her hopes were fulfilled and she is now one of the top nurses at Life Empangeni Private Hospital and part of the top 100 Life Health Care Hospital nurses nationwide.
Hlengiwe is a great example of the importance of hard work and determination.
After matriculating at Ndukwenhle High School in 1994, Hlengiwe waited four long years before being granted the opportunity to attend Prince Mshiyeni Nursing School.
It was when she enrolled as a nurse at Life Empangeni Private Hospital in 2005 that her journey truly began.
Under the watchful of her tutor Leoni Starker-Fox, Hlengiwe grew from strength to strength and her hard work and passion for the job finally paid off when she was named Unit Manager of the Surgical B Ward.
Life as a nurse
‘There have been many memorable moments throughout the course of my nursing career, but my favourite will always be the feeling of helping people and travelling the road to recovery with them from beginning to end,’ said Hlengiwe.
‘Many times I have been greeted by people in the shopping centre, only to be reminded that they were in my care during their time in hospital and how well they have recovered.’
‘I can barely recognise them because they have made such an improvement.’
While head of Surgical Ward B, Hlengiwe was off to a challenging start but soon put together a wonderful team of nursing staff who are dedicated to their both their work and their patients.
It was this success that led her to being named one of the top 100 nurses in the country.
Family life
A hard worker at the hospital, Hlengiwe’s support system lies in the handsome 13-year-old boy in her life.
Her son, who shares the same passion as his mother, may not be following in her footsteps of nursing, but instead is fanatical about cooking and hopes to one day be a professional chef.
‘Success lies with motivation and those wanting to get into the profession need to love and care for their patients,’ said Hlengiwe.
‘Remember that it is not just a job and the role must be treated with respect.’
‘We need nurses who are passionate.’
