Unisa project equips nurses with principles

STAFF attached to the CA56 Project at Unisa’s Department of Health Studies in the College of Human Sciences visited the Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital to conduct a workshop titled “Continuous professional development for newly qualified nurses: Ethical considerations and professional conduct”.

The workshop was held at the Tembisa Hospital’s conference centre as part of the department’s engaged scholarship key performance area mandate.

The workshop was facilitated by the project leader, Professor Kholofelo Matlhaba.

Matlhaba said the purpose of the workshop was to address the specific needs of newly graduated nurses in understanding and applying the ethical principles and professional conduct in their daily practice.

The six-hour interactive workshop was attended by 19 newly-graduated nurses. The workshop was formatted in a manner which allowed participants to have interactive sessions with individuals and included group activities such as storytelling and reflective exercises.

Sister Mashadi Lebogo, a NorthWest University graduate, shared feedback on how the workshop has assisted her. She said that Matlhaba instilled something in her that she never knew she needed.

“I have learnt to continue working with a kind heart,” she said, “no matter the bullying and the frustrating influx of patients in large numbers. I have learnt to be emotionally intelligent and stop letting my emotions get to me.”

Sister Simphiwe Asanda Nala, a University of KwaZulu-Natal graduate, mentioned that during the workshop, ethos and professional practice were emphasised, which is something she plans to carry out in the field of nursing.