Nurses in top 100 of SA healthcare group
EIGHT exceptional Life Healthcare nurses from the Eastern Cape have made it on to a list of the group’s 100 best nurses in South Africa.
“It is truly a great honour and a privilege to be recognised,” Life Healthcare’s regional manager for Border-Kei and Port Elizabeth, Bruce Janssens, said.
The nurses, who work at Life St George’s Hospital, Life Mercantile Hospital, Life’s frail care centres in Kirkwood and Port Elizabeth, Life Hunterscraig Psychiatric Hospital and Life Isivivana in Humansdorp, received their awards for making it onto the list this week. Past winner Nicolene Botha said being a nurse was a calling that came from the heart, and the award was special to her.
Regional nursing manager for Life Healthcare, Jill Strydom, said she was proud of the winners.
“As well as being an inspiration to everyone out there, they have certainly done us proud and for this I salute each one of them.”
Another previous winner, Sister Leanthea du Plessis, who works in the cardiac care unit at Life St George’s Hospital, said it had been an honour to receive the award. The winners are:
Sister Joy Gallant from Life Mercantile Hospital, who was cited for her passion for nursing. “The doctors love doing rounds with her because of her efficiency and friendliness.
“She is always open ideas,” Strydom said.
Sister Patty Myburgh, who works in the infection control unit at Life Mercantile Hospital, was described by Strydom as being one of the most positive people at the hospital. “She focuses on good experiences and always looks for solutions when faced with difficulties. She has the ability and maturity to manage any difficult situation or outcome.”
Hendricka Brinkhuis, from Life Esidimeni Frail Care Centre in Kirkwood, was recognised for her excellent work ethic. “She demonstrates a caring and professional attitude,” Strydom said.
Yvonne Mboniswa, a nurse at the Algoa Frail Care Centre, was cited for her passion in working with elderly and frail patients.
“She demonstrates compassion in whatever task she performs, and for this she is admired,” Strydom said. “She takes full responsibility for updating herself with the most recent nursing trends, and recently took on the challenge of teaching her colleagues how to use new equipment when it is introduced to her unit.”
Life Hunterscraig Psychiatric Hospital nurse Christa Stow was praised for her “outstanding knowledge” and insight in her
to
new field. “She is a leader who displays outstanding leadership skills in her environment, and who leads her shift in a very competent manner, with excellent results. She is always the first to detect any threatening abnormalities in ill patients admitted to the unit. This proves her clinical competency,” Strydom said.
Theresa Draghoneder, a nurse at Life Isivivana in Humansdorp, was described as outstanding Life Healthcare nurse. “She fulfilled this role with maturity and professionalism. Within a short period of six months she was able to scrub for most cases unassisted. She has a no-nonsense approach to her doctors, who respect her as a young leader.”
Strydom described Leanthea du Plessis as the epitome of professionalism. “She is always beautifully presented. Her calming and reassuring manner always puts her patients at ease. She is punctual and will always go the extra mile. She is an active mentor and loves teaching the students.”
Sister Joy van der Walt, who works in critical care at Life St George’s Hospital, received acclaim for her good skills. Strydom said doctors were full of praise for the way she cared for her patients. “During resuscitation, it’s a beautiful thing seeing such a competent nurse”. — ellise@timesmedia.