GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Due to pressing work commitments and training sessions 11 nurses from the Horse Shoe Clinic in Graaff-Reinet were unable to celebrate International Nurses Day on 12 May.
International Nurses Day (IND) is an international day observed around the world on 12 May each year (the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth) to mark the contributions that nurses make to society.
In keeping with tradition all the nurses dressed up in white to honour their pledges. The staff at the Horse Shoe Clinic gathered over their lunch hour for the festivities with staff nurse Noxolo Witbooi opening the proceedings with the Nurse’s Prayer.
Sister Lizanne Opperman lit the candle in remembrance of nurses who have died during their time of duty, especially during the last year with the Covid-pandemic raging through the country, after which each nurse then subsequently lit their own candle from the burning candle to carry forth the light of nursing as a symbol of care.
Sister Sandra Wagenaar, guest speaker and honoured retired registered nurse, delivered a motivational talk titled, "Let us learn from the past, to carry us forward."
Sister Wagenaar worked for many years at the Horse Shoe Clinic and even after her retirement still made herself available for exceptional service to the community in Graaff Reinet during the pandemic. She shared past experiences as a nurse to give the nurses insight into handling any circumstances that might cross their paths in the future.
Sister Cane then asked the nurses to relight their candles and repeat the nurse’s pledge as first pledged by Florence Nightingale, with her:
"I solemnly pledge myself to the service of humanity and will endeavour to practice my profession with conscience and with dignity. I will maintain, by all the means in my power, the honour and noble tradition of my profession.
"The total health of my patients will be my first consideration. I shall hold in confidence all personal matters coming to my knowledge. I will not permit consideration of religion, nationality, race or social standing to intervene between my duty and my patient. I will maintain the utmost respect for human life. I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour."
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