Celebrating International Nurses Day: Meet Mrs Jabulile Doreen Shange

Please tell us about yourself

I am a retired nursing manager, a widow with six prosperous children and active member of Imbali Lutheran Church, participating in feeding projects in our church with other nurses.I enjoy gospel music and ballroom dancing and love spending time with family especially my grand children.I always strive to portray a positive outlook on life, therefore avoiding conflict and a negative atmosphere.

How long have you been a nurse?

I have been a nurse for 40 years and 20 years in nursing management
 

How long have you been working for Msunduzi Hospice?

I have been working at Msunduzi Hospice for 1 year now

 

And before joining  Msunduzi Hospice, where were you working before?

I have been an Assistant Director at Edendale Hospital and later promoted to a Deputy Nursing Manager at Greys Hospital, then promoted to      be a Nursing Manager at Edendale Hospital for 5years. I trained at EDH as a professional nurse in 1966 and achieved the following:

1. Passed General Nursing

2. Passed Diploma in operating theatre technique with honors

3. Passed Midwifery

4. Passed Diploma in Paediatric Nursing Science

5. Passed Nursing administration in KZN University

6. Passed Diploma in Human Resource atVarsity College

Why the change to hospice?

I chose hospice because I wanted to assist the community with life threatening illness and alleviate poverty. It was always my vision to be of value to hospice and the community.

What are some of the challenges you are faced with?

Palliative care deals mostly with patients and family which is not possible in hospitals /clinic setting in the Department of Health (DOH). Budget constraints prevents Msunduzi Hospice from reaching everyone who is faced with a life- threatening illness.  

And the rewards of being a palliative care nurse?

The rewards of being a palliative care nurse is to give hope and dignity to the dying patient by controlling pain and allowing a peaceful death. Preparing the family for bereavement with no complications and alleviating poverty and giving hope to families by facilitation of grants by social workers employed by Msunduzi Hospice.Patients needs are discussed in the Interdisciplinary meeting with Doctors, Professional  nurses, social workers and memory workers

What do you enjoy doing outside work?

I enjoy listening to music, gardening and cooking for the church to feed the needy

To find out more about the work of Msunduzi Hospice, please visit their website: www.hospicekzn.co.za