Nursing Awards Shine Spotlight on Excellence

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UKZN’s Nursing students had an Academic Awards ceremony for the Discipline followed by a sports day for all levels.

‘Life is about discovering who we are,’ Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital’s Matron Duduzile Mhlongo told students. ‘Striving for excellence in leadership and owning the decisions we make is part of nursing leadership,’ she said.

Mhlongo emphasised the importance of the three levels of management, informing students of senior management which is ‘responsible for strategic decisions,’ middle management which is tasked with ‘decision making,’ as well as operations which manages the inner workings of an organisation to ensure efficiency and productivity. ‘As a leader, you must lead by example. It is important to monitor and evaluate,’ she said.

Mr Skhumbuzo Mabaso from the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) congratulated the future nurses for their excellent achievements. He urged them to avoid litigations and informed them about DENOSA’s work. ‘The union maintains relationships with the South African Nursing Council and the Department of Health,’ said Mabaso.

The event was marked by great entertainment and fun edutainment exercises that reminded students of the University’s REACHt principles: Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Client Orientation, Honesty and Trust.

Acting School of Nursing and Public Health Dean and Head of School, Dr Bernhard Gaede celebrated the student’s academic achievements and acknowledged the contribution of people who worked in the background to ensure their success.

Acting Nursing Discipline Academic Leader, Dr Mbali Mhlongo congratulated the students for their hard work. She said Nursing students, unlike other university students, have to grow overnight as they are tasked with patient care responsibilities from when life begins and ends.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photograph: Supplied