Please tell us about yourself
I am married with one adult son who also works for Hospice.My husband is a Pastor of a church in Hornley and a self-employed business man. As a wife and mother I enjoy spending time with my family, making nice food and baking for them. I am involved in the work of the Lord local, regional and national and served on different boards. I served on the Provisional Hospital board for 10 years but have now retired from it.
How long have you been working for Knysna – Sedgefield Hospice?
I have been working with Knysna-Sedgefield Hospice for 16 years, started 1 January 1998
How long have you been a nurse?
I started as a nurse at the age of 19 years, so I am now 43 years in this profession.
Where have you worked before joining hospice?
For 17 years I worked with Knysna Municipality as community nurse, before that I worked at the Provisional Hospital as a nurse where I did the Caregivers course at Hospice.
Why the change to hospice?
I’ve decided to take the package that was offered at that time, and was then called by Hospice to say that a vacancy is available and was offered to me.
What are some of the challenges you are faced with?
Time! I don’t have enough time in the day to spend with my patients and their families, and have to prioritise and plan carefully. Some families want us to help with Euthanasia and is a big challenge more under the more affluent people.Families want us to predict and tell them how long their family will suffer – which is not possible.People misinterpret what and who Hospice is; we are seen as the ‘angel of death’.
What are the rewards of being a palliative care nurse?
To be able to keep a patient pain free, and having families member appreciate what you doing for their loved ones and the support you give to the family.
Can you describe and average day at your job?
Report on duty at 8am, the IDT meets, then out to see patients (between 6 to 8 patients a day) – assessing pain, dressings, if there are problems do referrals to drs, clinics, hospital, our in-house social workers, cargivers in order for them to meet the needs of the patient/ family member/s. I check for vital signs, monitor medication. If the patient is in distress we take the patient to the hospital, I have to take her because she is an oxygen patient and needs to be monitored. I also took a patient to get her ALL PAY, also an oxygen patient which I could leave to someone else because her breathing needed to be monitored.Back at the building, report back to the Dr and Clinical manager, then back at my desk to do my reports for stats.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
I enjoy going out with my friends to restaurants for coffee, meals and having a good laugh.I enjoy knitting, cooking and baking – my favourite is fruit cake!
To find out more about Knysna – Sedgefield Hospice visit http://www.hospiceknysna.org.za/
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