This year’s celebration carried more weight for nurses due to the Covid-19 pandemic the world is facing.<\/p>\n
The GCN had the opportunity of being part of a small ceremony held by the nurses from Bertha Gxowa Hospital, where they renewed their pledges and paid tribute to one of their own, Xolile Ndlamini, who died earlier this year.<\/p>
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The nurses kept their distance from each other and wore their masks at all times during the ceremony.<\/p>\n
Bertha Gxowa Hospital CEO Dr Arthur Manning shared a special message with the nurses.<\/p>\n
He said despite the pandemic the country is fighting, the day was about the nurses.<\/p>\n
“It’s not an ordinary day.<\/p>\n
“But that has nothing to do with the viral pandemic or the economic upheaval in the country.<\/p>\n
“It is extraordinary because we remember a special category of health workers today.<\/p>\n
“Today, we hail the immeasurable contribution of nurses of all categories in the provision of healthcare – this is the career of nursing,” said Manning.<\/p>\n
In his message, he shared the definition of a nurse.<\/p>\n
“The word nurse is derived from ‘nourish’.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ALSO READ:<\/span><\/p>\n Three nurses, one passion for serving the community<\/a><\/p>\n Roseacres celebrates nurses on International Nurses\u2019 Day<\/a><\/p>\n \n “It means to supply what is necessary for life, for health, for growth, to cherish, to foster, to keep alive, to strengthen, to build up, and to promote.<\/p>\n “Nursing is a calling to go beyond your fears, beyond your anxieties, and beyond your own needs.<\/p>\n “It’s a calling to serve,” said Manning.<\/p>\n He also thanked and encouraged the nurses.<\/p>\n “At Bertha Gxowa Hospital, we have such precious gems among us and other precious stones in the making.<\/p>\n “I acknowledge all of you.<\/p>\n “You are the backbone, heart and soul of the hospital,” he said.<\/p>\n “Continue to practise your profession with honour, dignity and pride.<\/p>\n “If you think you are getting weary and it is becoming difficult, I pray that these words strengthen and invigorate you to get up and go.<\/p>\n “May the hand of God always be over you, protecting you.”<\/p>\n The nurses were pleased to have the opportunity to come together and celebrate the day, even though it was not a big celebration. “We enjoyed all the messages of appreciation, especially as we are at the forefront of fighting this invisible yet deadly virus.<\/p>\n “It’s also motivating seeing healthcare workers coming together to work towards a common goal, which is elimination of this virus,” said Tshepiso.<\/p>\n Fellow nurse Simon Mabasa said the message from the CEO will inspire and motivate them to soldier on.<\/p>\n “As frontline workers facing the pandemic, we appreciate the message of support.<\/p>\n “I am prepared to put my country first and serve as a nurse since our duty as nurses is to nourish and nurse back to health.<\/p>\n “In these difficult times we shall nurse those who are infected and protect the nation from the spread of this pandemic,” said Mabasa.<\/p>\n During the ceremony, the nurses lit a candle for their fallen ‘soldier’, Ndlamini, as a sign that she had finished the journey of her calling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za,<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za\u00a0<\/a><\/strong>or Busi Vilakazi (Journalist)\u00a0busiv@caxton.co.za.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Also follow us on:<\/p>\n
\nTshepiso Motaung, who has been in the profession for five years, said she was happy to celebrate the day even in difficult times.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/31\/2020\/05\/IMG_0649_27705-520x390.jpg\")
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