By Palesa Ndinisa
Shenodine Shaina Christine Webster, a 30-year-old nurse from Alberton with over seven years experience shares her experience in the healthcare industry. The passionate professional also gives insight on how one can pursue a career in nursing.
Sharing her catastrophic trauma, Webster alluded that her love for working in the healthcare industry was ignited by the death of her mother. “I always told my mom I want to be a nurse, and she couldn’t understand why. At 13, my mom was tragically shot and I watched her die in front of me. That moment changed my life forever. It was from that day that my passion for healthcare came alive because I never want anyone else to feel as helpless and hopeless as I did on that day,” mournfully uttered Webster.
In high school, Webster studied Physics, Life Sciences and Mathematics as part of her subjects. She then studied at Ann Latsky Nursing College for her R425 Diploma in Nursing, which qualified her as a general nurse, psychiatric nurse, community nurse and a midwife. Her training and experience allowed her to provide holistic care across different disciplines, including mental health and community work, to maternity and general nursing practice. In the past, Webster has worked at Phola Park Community Health Centre in Tokoza, Elias Motsoaledi Clinic in Soweto, South African National Blood Services, Princess Royal University Hospital in the United Kingdom, London- as a midwife, and Life Roseacres Hospital Maternity section in Germiston as an agency midwife. Currently, Webster works as a Clinic Practitioner at Dis-Chem Pharmacies.
Outlining her opinion on how healthcare policies affect nursing practices and changes she would like to see come to fruition specifically in South Africa, the warmhearted nurse expressed that the policy has a major impact on how it shapes how care is delivered and managed, including resources available, as well as standards that need to be met and upheld. “Sometimes, policies can feel restrictive and create unnecessary barriers to providing efficient, patient-cantered care. I believe policies should promote professional development by making it easier for nurses to access training opportunities, mentorship, and further education. At the same time, policies should stop hindering nurses from furthering their studies by reducing red tape and creating more flexible pathways for career growth. By empowering nurses through supportive policies, we not only improve working conditions but also strengthen the quality of care patients receive,” added Webster.
Additionally, the young woman attested that the most rewarding part about her job is being a beam of hope for people. She further explained that she displays support to her clients by assisting them ‘fix’ their health issues, as well as providing a place of safety for those who are vulnerable. “The least interesting part of my work is the administrative load that comes with the job. While it’s necessary for proper record-keeping and continuity of care, it can sometimes take me away from direct patient interaction, which is where my true passion lies. Nursing is truly a work of heart. You need to have genuine passion in order to thrive in this career. It’s not always easy, you will face challenges and tough days, but when your heart is in it, you find the strength to keep going. Passion doesn’t take away the difficulties, but it makes them easier to handle,” concluded Webster.
