Joy is committed to her calling

Joy Stander is the definition of a life lived to its fullest, with no regrets. The 74-year-old nurse is full of life and enjoying every minute. “The secret to life is to live it to the full, work hard and have lots of fun. Age is just a number. I’m 74 years and I look my age, but I feel 35 and have the energy of a 35-year-old,” said Stander.

The Kensington resident has been a nurse for 55 years and said she is not planning to retire anytime soon.

She shared her lifelong journey with the Joburg East Express. She said she decided at the age of 18 to become a nurse. “My choice as an 18-year-old in 1961 to become a nurse was the best decision I have ever made. I look back and feel satisfied with what I have achieved.”

She also said it was hard and it has not made her a millionaire but she has loved every minute of her journey as a nurse.

It’s evident that Stander is passionate about her work as she shares the journey of her profession. “I started my training in 1961. I did my general nursing training at Potchefstroom Hospital and my midwifery at Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital That was followed by the Tara – The H Moross Centre Hospital where I completed my psychiatric training, passing with distinction in 1980.”

She said studying is important in her profession and that is one of the things she did even though she was a mother and a wife. She juggled her work and family life.

Nursing is a calling and that is evident in Stander’s life. She went back to work as an occupational health nurse for eight years after retirement in 2003.

“After leaving Sasolburg in 2013 I started working at Curo Health, doing medical evaluations and drawing blood for the different labs and insurances,” added Stander.

She said nursing has always been her passion, “Loving people, life and having a caring, positive personality is important. I’m always caring for the underdog or people who can’t fend for themselves. Nursing is a caring profession; you have to be dedicated, be able to work long hours and sometimes patients are not so kind, but the rewards are amazing.

“Watching people recover and return to their families and communities [is very rewarding]. In the end, you can look back at your life with no regrets, just amazing satisfaction and pleasure.”

She said the highlight of her career was achieving three degrees and maintaining a full-time profession, and the highlights of her life are her children and grandchildren.

Like any other journey, it has had bumps and Stander has had her fair share too. She was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 but took that part of her journey with positivity. She became the chair lady of Reach for Recovery in the Vaal Triangle for nearly 10 years. She also served on the Hospice committee and the Cancer Association of South Africa.

“As you can see, my life is so full, [with] a wonderful supportive family and amazing friends. Every day is exciting and to be able to work is joy enough for me.”

She said she is not planning to retire anytime soon because she is dancing to life and added, “Music and dancing are my passion.”

She has been a Toastmaster president of the Egoli Golden City Toastmaster Club and says that this has expanded her social life. She has won the Rotarian of the Year award and she is a Paul Harris Fellow.

Stander is definitely dancing to the music of life!

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