Kempton’s Hospice nurse has found her calling
For Tracey, being a Hospice nurse is not a job, it is a calling.
Upon approach, Sister Tracey Scholefield (51) was hugging the mother of a former patient who had died.“My problem in this profession is that I get so attached that the families become part of my life. When my patients die it is extremely sad for everyone involved,” Scholefield told Kempton Express.
Scholefield joined East Rand Hospice in 2013 and is the nursing sister in Kempton Park. She has been a nurse since 1989 and had chosen to further her studies in palliative care as a result of the deaths of two of her very special friends who both died of cancer.
According to East Rand Hospice spokesperson Laura Kirsten, Scholefield saw how Hospice treated patients with such love and care and she decided this was what she wanted to do.
“Palliative care revolves around any illness that’s life-threatening, like cancer, heart failure etc,” Scholefield told Kempton Express.
The symptom control in palliative care involves controlling patients’ pain, nausea, constipation and monitoring their medication correctly. In addition, Scholefield said, it entailed emotional support, spiritual support and any psychological aspects that come from suffering from a terminal illness.
Assisting patients with symptom control as a positive outcome is what Scholefield enjoys most about nursing. To her, it’s not a job but a true calling. She also enjoys caring for patients in their homes, rather than in hospital wards.
“I find it more personal, the experience is one-on-one and patients have familiar surroundings where it’s quiet as opposed to facility-based care.”
She also elaborated on the role she fulfils in her patients’ final days.
“They tend to open up more towards us about things they’re dealing with which they don’t necessarily want the family to know about.”
When asked about the working hours of her industry, Scholefield said they worked 24/7.
“Even on weekends or days off-duty I would cling to my phone in case of an emergency.”
If you wish to help make life better for those in need, feel free to visit the East Rand Hospice charity shop in Aston Manor Shopping Centre on Monument Road.
