SOUTH Africa’s dire shortage of nurses was given a welcome boost yesterday when CPUT and the Western Cape College of Nursing celebrated their post-basic graduation ceremony.

The 129 nurses graduated in a variety of specialty courses including Operating Theatre, Critical Care, Trauma and Emergency, Midwifery and Psychiatric Nursing.

Provincial Minister of Health Theuns Botha welcomed the graduates into his department which already boasts a healthy 11 762 nurses working across the Western Cape.

“You will most probably work 20, 30 or 40 years for this Department,” he informed the audience.

“You will be treated accordingly because you are a scarce skill. The people of the Western Cape deserve the best therefore we train the best.”

Keynote speaker Prof Karien Jooste who enjoys a successful career as an editor and writer of medical journals and textbooks, reminded the graduates of the importance of striving for success and lifelong career passion.

ESTEEMED GUESTS: Keynote speaker Prof. Karien Jooste sitting alongside Provincial Health Minister Theuns Botha at the graduation ceremony of 129 nursing students.

“We need nursing leaders who rise above and use their power to motivate others,” she says.

“Every person has the need to succeed. Climb your career ladder with passion.”

Dean of the Health and Wellness Faculty Prof Dhiro Gihwala congratulated each graduate personally and highlighted the strides CPUT is making to fill the demand for nurses while also complying with new higher education qualifications frameworks.

He also urged the graduates to remember where they came from.

DON’T FORGET: Health and Wellness Dean Prof. Dhiro Gihwala reminded graduates to remember the communities they came from.

 “I am confident you will use your special skills and your influence to put something back into those communities,” he says.

“We also hope you will continue to support CPUT and the College.”

 By LAUREN KANSLEY

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Department of Nursing Science recently participated in a community engagement event at the Bishop Lavis Community Health Centre.

The aim was to facilitate staff development and to identify the needs of the community – an initiative driven by the Head of Department, Prof Karien Jooste, for the past six years.

“To assist in the patients’ nutritional needs, the staff members provided sandwiches and tea to the patients in the waiting area. This allowed the patients to have breakfast and safely consume their chronic medication, as many of the patients wake up early to attend the clinic and do not have time to eat.,” said Bridgette Lockett, Programme Coordinator for Primary Care Nursing.

Health education was provided by the lecturers and clinical mentors throughout the four areas of the clinic, as identified by the Facility Manager, Sr Rachel Carelse.

“Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus are two of the chronic disorders identified within this community. The health education specifically focused on Diabetes Mellitus. The patients were educated on how to monitor their blood glucose levels, how to take their prescribed medication and the importance of maintaining their health and well-being,” added clinical coordinator, Ursula Mafaro.

Carelse also discussed the initiatives in place to support the community in maintaining their health, e.g. community walks in the morning and healthcare workers delivering chronic medication to patients, thus ensuring their compliance.

The Bishop Lavis Community Health Centre has worked alongside the Department of Nursing Science in accommodating students for their placements during work-integrated learning. This includes both the undergraduate as well as the postgraduate programme, providing services to the community.

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

It was a big moment when a group of CPUT frontline health workers became the first from the institution to be vaccinated against Covid-19.

A total of 20 CPUT frontline health workers received their vaccinations at Groote Schuur Hospital on Thursday.

“Western Cape Government Health (WCGH) created a sequencing system for frontline health workers, [in] faculties of health sciences. This is similar to the EVDS (Electronic Vaccination Data System) used nationally for healthcare workers and indeed both systems are being used for the vaccination of healthcare workers,” said Prof Tandi Matsha, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences and chairperson of the CPUT vaccination rollout.

She said vaccination is based on voluntary participation and health workers had to volunteer to participate.

“From CPUT Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences (FHWS), including CPUT health clinics, over 80% of our staff and students volunteered to participate. However, due to the limited number of vaccines at the moment, only those staff members that had been trained to administer vaccines to the CPUT community have been vaccinated today (Thursday)."

Prof Karien Jooste, Head of the Department of Nursing Science added that 18 lecturers in the Department of Nursing Science and two professional nurses from the Health clinic and HIV/Aids Unit had been selected.

Matsha said participants are observed at the vaccination site for some time (15 minutes) after vaccination for adverse reaction, given information on what they may experience later in the day and a contact number should they experience adverse reactions.

“As chair of the vaccination rollout at CPUT, I am extremely happy, and would also like to take this opportunity to ensure the CPUT community that the process will be fair and prioritised, based on needs. I would like to especially thank Prof Mellet Moll, Chair of Health cluster, Prof Karien Jooste (Head of Department, Nursing), Benjamin De Waal and John Meyer (FHWS) who were of extreme help to assist us to meet the requirements of the WCGH sequencing requirements.

“This is greatly appreciated as all would know from the news, Covid-19 vaccination is a developing story with many disruptions along the way and we must, as CPUT, quickly adapt in order to ensure that we receive vaccines.”

Melanie Marais, Head of the HIV/Aids unit, who was among the first group to receive their vaccines, said her experience was very positive and that she received friendly and efficient services from the vaccination site at Groote Schuur Hospital.

“It was comforting to know that the vaccinator was vaccinated about three weeks ago and she could share her experience with me. I did not experience any discomfort so far and was advised that I might experience some side effects and can take two Panados should I have any side effects. I am thankful for all the role players who made this possible. Today made me think of the many healthcare workers and members of the public who lost their lives due to this pandemic. “

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Preparations are in full swing for the Department of Nursing Science to welcome its first group of mainstream 4-year undergraduate students to the Bellville Campus next year.

 Prof Karien Jooste, Head of the Department of Nursing Science, said this is ground-breaking as CPUT previously only offered post-basic programmes. The first cohort would consist of 30 mainstream students.

She said the new one-year postgraduate qualifications (previously two years Level 7) will be offered on the higher NQF Level 8, also putting Nursing in a much better position in terms of student subsidies.

Jooste said the staff complement has grown and facilities, including the clinical skills laboratory, had been upgraded. She complimented senior management and supporting departments for their support.

Prefabricated classrooms will accommodate the new students as a temporary solution.

She managed the internal review of the five campuses and the 2018 report was positive. This is helpful in preparing for the upcoming accreditation of the new programmes from the SA Nursing Council.

“The focus in the department is firmly on empowerment and capacity building. We want to take CPUT Nursing Sciences to new heights. Staff members are encouraged to partake in conferences, organisations, committees, furthering their studies and research projects. Apart from teaching there is a shift towards research and community involvement and partnerships with neighbouring universities, international universities, private sector and Government,” said Jooste.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

An “increasing demand” for nursing as a career has seen CPUT’s Department of Nursing Science flooded with applications from thousands of prospective applicants hoping to enter the profession.   

Prof Karien Jooste, Head of the Department of Nursing Science, indicated that the enrolment number for new students was limited to only 60 per year, as determined by the regulatory body. “Thus far about 6500 applications have been received in Batches 1 and 2. This demonstrates that Nursing is in demand at CPUT, despite the Covid pandemic in which many nurses lost their lives.” 

She said the four-year nursing programme at CPUT draws high achievers into the programme. There is also a focus on the equally important Recognition of Prior Learning five-year programme.  

The department has been successful in obtaining a yearly total of 30 bursaries for new students, with the Western Cape Department of Health signing an agreement with at least half the cohort of students entering the programme.  

The four-year degree sets strict entrance requirements, of which a personal interview is part of the selection process, a digital administrative system will also assist in the selection process.

Jooste believes that in the coming years, the expansion of the building with skills laboratories and more physical space will enable the Department to increase the number of students at under and post-graduate levels. She praised the faculty and support services that supported the vision of the department, and its slogan "to be the carers for the future".  

Written by CPUT News
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Department of Nursing Science recognised the achievements and dedication of students during a recent awards ceremony.

Students received their distinguishing devices during the ceremony, which was held at the Auditorium on the Bellville campus, while those who have excelled were also acknowledged.

The keynote speaker was Lloyd Christopher, Acting Assistant Dean in the Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences.

Head of Department, Prof Karien Jooste, who initiated the awards, said learner nurses deliver person-centered care, keeping in mind developing as “Nurses for the Future”.

The ceremony was an effort to acknowledge the theory and clinical achievements of students and to motivate and encourage all of the students and will become an annual event.

This event also marked a milestone of having the first fourth-year learner nurses (new Bachelor of Nursing), and the fourth-years of the BTech Nursing Degree together to celebrate. The department offered the legacy programme (BTech) and introduced the new bachelor’s degree simultaneously, a first in South Africa.

Awards for outstanding academic performance during 2022 were made to:

• Naseera Salie
• Lazola Penxa
• Carlie Carlson
• Siyanda Ndikandika
• Nokwanda Magagula
• Zethu Katsikatsi
• Lizahnne Jean Fouche
• Shamelah Botha
• Monique Lavern Beukes
• Bongiwe Tshona
• Kelly-Anne Africa
• Etasha Coetzee
• Siyasamkela Hlwatika
• Sebrine Basson

The following outstanding students were also recognised.

• Leticia Da Silva - Displayed great care and compassion (first-year)
• Robyn Anthonie - Displayed excellent leadership qualities (second-year)
• Lizhanne Jean Fouche - Displayed great care and compassion (second-year)
• Sandra Kulondwa - Displayed admirable resilience (second-year)
• Kaylee Mashigo - Displayed excellent leadership qualities (third-year)
• Vuyokazi Mketshane - Displayed great care and compassion third-year
• Phakamani Sithole - Displayed excellent Leadership qualities (fourth-year)
• Thandile Tile - Displayed great Care and compassion (fourth-year)
• Sphamandla Ntshwanti - Displayed admirable resilience (fourth-year)

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.