Selfless nurse answers call of duty
Mariamma Sheromani, 55, is probably the first retired nurse now working at the Labasa Hospital; re-employed by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services. Ms Sheromani, of Batinikama, Labasa, retired on November 11, last year, as a sister, in charge of children’s ward, after 33 years as a health worker. To address the acute shortage of nurses, Ms Sheromani said she was approached thrice by the ministry. The mother of four children, and her husband, have been looking after their elderly father and father-in-law since her retirement.
“It wasn’t an easy decision as a wife, mother, daughter and daughter-in-law however, I thank my husband, a retired lab technician, for his support once again,” Mrs Sheromani said.
“I am thankful to the Government for extending the retirement age from 55 to 60.”
She returned to work yesterday.
Journey as nurse
The eldest of four siblings became the first nurse in her family. While studying Year 12 at Labasa College she sat for an aptitude test. Without a second thought, she had made nursing as her firstchoice career.
In Year 13, she was selected join the Fiji School of Nursing. She left Vanua Levu to study in Suva and graduated in 1989 with a Diploma in Nursing.
Her first posting was at the Savusavu Sub Divisional Hospital. She spent two years there. Then, she was transferred to the Lautoka Hospital; she spent 19 years there.
In 2004, she graduated with a Bachelor in Nursing from the Central Queensland University. In 2010, she returned to Vanua Levu and joined the Labasa Hospital before retiring.
She also worked in several wards, rising to the ranks as nurse unit manager.
Lifelong Lessons
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Ms Sheromani was known by many nursing staff members for her compassion and willingness to working overtime.
She would even help patients, after being discharged, with food, clothes and a place to stay.
For her, it was never about salary but providing service above self. “To be a good nurse, you need to be caring, competent, compassionate, courageous, committed and have very good communication skills,” she said.
“Nursing is not about administering medications and comforting the ill, but it also requires exceptional attention to details and lots of paperwork.”