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DENOSA President calls for unity among nurses
DENOSA President, Simon Hlungwani, called for unity among nurses if the negative public perception about nursing is to be turned around.
He was addressing nursing graduates as a guest speaker at the Ann Latsky Nursing College's graduation ceremony at Mosaiek Teatro, Fairlands, Johannesburg on Friday 5 May.
He said the challenges facing the profession call for unity of purpose. Quoting Russian Marxist, Vladimir Lenin, Hlungwani said for the profession to forge forward it required not just every action. "Every action is valuable, only in so far as it pushes forward and not backwards."
He urged nurses to hold hands and work together like different parts of a car which, despite their difference in the making, hardly ever discriminate against each other for they clearly understand the complementary role that each plays towards the other.
He said young nurses must make use of the opportunity to further studies as soon as it becomes available to them.
"In the next 10 years, majority of nurses that are currently in the practice, bout 60% of them, will retire from the service. It is therefore upon us to keep ourselves updated with new skills. Immediately when you get an opportunity to further your studies, use it, so that we don't allow the knowledge deficit in the profession," he said.
"If you sharpen your skill very well, you will be remembered as one of the great contributors. As young people you must present fresh ideas within the unit and you must embrace teamwork."
He urged the graduates to remain humble in both the profession and their lives.
"Never look down upon anyone, unless you are admiring their shoes."
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