Returning to the classroom as part of her retirement plan worked out in a big way for a CPUT graduate.

Karla Whiley scored the highest marks in an Occupational Health Nursing degree nationally and was awarded the Ian Webster silver medal by the South African Society of Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners (SASOHN).

Whiley is the Regional Wellness Manager at Eskom and studied part-time, attending classes at night for the first year while nursing a broken left ankle and broken right foot.

While retirement is not an immediate concern for Whiley she says branching out into consultation or freelancing as an Occupational Health specialist later would require a BTech and she finally bit the bullet and enrolled.

“Occupational Health is a misunderstood and very niche area of nursing. I wanted to expand my career opportunities by studying and I’m not sorry that I did,” she says.

“The number of Occupational Health Nurse Practitioners registered with the South African Nursing Council represents approximately 2% of the total registered population so it is a very under-represented niche.”

Whiley credits her lecturers for going the extra mile during the difficult past few years for her success.

“There were times we had classes at our lecturer's home just to get through the curriculum. That shows the amount of dedication from their side,” she says.

Learn more about occupational health here. 

Written by Lauren Kansley
Tel: +27 21 953 8646
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Liaises with the media and writes press releases about interesting developments at CPUT.

The Nursing Science Department can add another trophy to its case after graduate Helene Mausling walked away with the Ian Webster Silver Medal Award.

Helene, who studied part-time and completed her BTech: Occupational Health Nursing in 2017, received the award during the recent SA Society of Occupational Health Nursing Practitioners (SASOHN) National Conference held at the Spier Conferencing Centre.

She scored the highest marks in the country for the course.

“I did not expect to receive an award at all. I feel very honoured that an institution like SASOHN will recognise and reward a student in such a way,” said Mausling. 

Prof Karien Jooste, Head of the Department of Nursing Science, said CPUT scored a double win this year.

Not only was Mausling the overall winner but because of the marginal difference between her mark and that of another CPUT graduate, Yolanda Koorzen, the executive decided to award Koorzen a medal as well.

Koorzen will receive her award at the first function hosted by the Western Cape SASOHN Committee in 2019.

Mausling said her grandmother and aunt were both nursing sisters but it was not until a friend started working in the field that she gained an inside look into nursing.
“That persuaded me to pursue a career in nursing. I have not looked back since as I feel this is my calling.”

She said it was difficult to juggle her studies, work and family life but that she always made time for her family and friends.

“I still remember what one of my lecturers told me as I started as a student nurse. She said that even if you don’t feel like studying you just grab your collar and put yourself down in front of your books and figuratively that is what I did.”

• Each year training institutions across South Africa, who offer a post-basic degree programme in Occupational Health Nursing, are invited to submit the names of students who achieved 75% or above to SASOHN to assess eligibility for the Ian Webster Silver Medal Award.

The SASOHN National Educational Representative and the SASOHN National executive members then review all the submissions for the highest mark attained. Recipients have to hold SASOHN membership.

This award was donated to SASOHN by Prof Ian Webster on his retirement from the National Research Institute for Occupational Diseases in 1998 and is awarded annually.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
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An inspiring group of dedicated CPUT staff members has played a crucial role in helping ensure the health and safety of the university community during the pandemic. More than 15,000 vaccinations have been administered at the CPUT Vaccination Centre, and our vaccinators are right at the frontline.

This month we share some of their stories:

Nursing lecturer Natalie Copeling chose the profession to make a difference in the lives of others, and this passion shines through at the Vaccination Centre, where she serves the CPUT community.

Copeling has worked at CPUT for 14 years and has been involved with the centre since its inception.

“As an existing member of the CPUT health cluster, I was invited to join a sub-committee of the health cluster and was involved in the conceptualisation and planning of the vaccination centre from the outset,” she said.

Copeling assisted with coordinating the training for the Department of Nursing Science staff as COVID-19 vaccinators, as well as compiling a placement schedule for the staff at the centre and floor management of the centre.           

“In a time of uncertainty and turmoil, I had certain skills that could be of use, and it was a privilege to be able to assist during this time.”

She said nursing is a profession that allows you to be grateful for what you have and provides daily reminders of this when you hear the stories and challenges of others.

“The placement in the centre was a return to practice and engagement with many diverse individuals.”

Copeling thanked Prof Karien Jooste “for her support as my HoD as without that I would not have been able to be as involved as what I was.”

“Also, thanks to my colleagues from the department who worked on a rotational basis at the centre.”

Last year Copeling received two awards from the South African Society of Occupational Health Nursing Practitioners (SASOHN). 
The first, the Ian Webster gold medal, was for her Master’s degree, which was attained in 2019, and is given to all who complete a Master’s or PHD with an occupational health nursing focus by the society. She also received the EXCO Rep of the Year award, given to the candidate the society's president selected annually.
Coupling is married with two daughters, who she says has a passion for equestrian.  
“My spare time is spent mostly outdoors with my two daughters and horses.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks

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