Role with the Passion to Serve
Excellence in service comes not only with the skills, but through the passion for the role, particularly those in the nursing workforce are obliged to perform their duties with diligence and compassion.
This was the message from the 47-year-old Akanisi Wailala, a senior nurse at the Tavua Hospital, who has developed herself from just being a ward nurse to becoming a senior sister through 22 years of dedication and service.
Born and bred in the highlands of Naitasiri, Mrs Wailala has always dreamed of becoming a nurse. But the road to success has not been an easy one. “Nursing has always been my passion, that’s why I joined the nursing school. “Way back when I was attending the primary school, there used to be a nurse at our village dispensary and seeing her passion and commitment to the role, made me realise the importance of nursing and that it’s truly a noble profession. “Being a nurse means you are entrusted with great level of responsibilities to assist people during some of the most difficult times in their lives. “That’s how I was inspired to become a nurse, to be able to help others. “After completing secondary education, I joined the Fiji Nursing of School in 1990. After my graduation in 1993, I was posted to Vunidawa nursing station for a year and then moved to Nadovu nursing station in the highlands of Naitasiri. “First year of nursing was challenging as I was the only nurse based at the rural nursing station, and it came with a lot of expectations.
“I was grateful that I had the opportunity to work in the area of rural nursing.
“It was challenging, but it developed my confidence as a nurse, being the only one to manage the place, I had to be on my toes all the time.
“I used to stay over at rural communities for the outreach programmes and my work was greatly appreciated by the communities,” Mrs Wailala said.
In year 2001, Mrs Wailala, moved to Tavua with her husband and three children.
She initially started serving as a ward nurse and later climbed the rank of a senior sister.
“That time there were no ward assistance and the nurses had to manage quite a handful of duties. “Even had to travel right out to remote communities like Nadharivatu for outreach and awareness programmes on important health issues like prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCD) along with the women’s and children’s health. “Currently, with my role as the senior sister at the Tavua hospital, I have to mentor 25 nurses, some of whom are very young and need lot of coaching as well, particularly inculcating the ethical values and compassion which is at the heart of developing a safer health care.
“Being in this leadership role means setting a good example for the young nurses, to inspire them to do their best with the role they have been entrusted with,” Mrs Wailala said.
She thanked the Ministry of Health and Medical Services for recognising her hard work through her recent appointment as a senior sister.
Her humble and friendly personality has earned her the respect and admiration of the health team at Tavua Hospital.
Despite her busy schedule, she does find time for her family that lives in Vatukoula, Tavua.