No better fulfilment than saving a human life
Local nurse says that she loves what she does.
Healthcare workers play an important role in society but they don’t necessarily get the credit they deserve.
Meet Khethiwe Boqo, unit manager of the accident and emergency room at Lenmed Randfontein Private Hospital who spoke to the Herald about her profession.
Khethiwe, 45, explained that she came into nursing by accident and actually wanted to be a psychiatrist.
“At the time I heard I could become a doctor by first studying nursing. I hated nursing with everything in me but I came in and got stuck in the career. I realised later that this was my calling. Now it means everything to me – it changes my mood and how I see life. Not only do I help people but I just love what I do.”
To her the trauma unit is a ‘fun place’, referring to the comradery and good spirited workers and even happy patients, which fit right in with her spontaneous personality.
“People come in seriously injured and not in good shape, at times bleeding; but we need to ensure they feel as comfortable as possible and get helped. There’s a reward in seeing how they improve before your eyes.”
As with any job, stress is part of it and Khethiwe said it could take a toll on a person.
She further described working during the pandemic as ‘challenging’ as they didn’t know what to expect, not to mention the influx of patients and not having beds available. Their resources were stretched, which at one stage was more than the health system and workers could bear.
“There is nothing worse than seeing someone desperate for help and you don’t know what to do. Our primary goal in nursing is to care for people. We have a conscious duty towards society and a major role to play. Good planning, knowing what to do and making sure that you have competent colleagues (teamwork) are very important.”
She explained that it’s wonderful to save a life. They even follow up when a patient is moved to ICU or a different hospital, and it’s a great feeling to see someone in ICU who came in very sick but now looks better.
“It feels great; it’s rewarding and there is no better fulfilment than saving a human life.”
Her work has taught her that people are important and that people need each other.
