There is a serious shortage of teachers and nurses in Southern Africa and a great demand for skilled professionals in these fields. We interviewed a nurse and a teacher to get an insight into these rewarding careers. Read on to find out if teaching or nursing could be your dream job!

PROFILE: Monde Tyhopo , Nurse at Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Cape Town.

Monde is a nurse at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital and is 30 years old. He is passionate about his job and the people he works with and hopes to one day finish his studies and qualify as a doctor.

What made you decide to pursue a career in nursing?

My mom, Nomase Tyhopo, is a nurse. I used to visit the hospital with her as a child and loved helping out.

What department in the hospital do you work in?

I work in the surgical clinic. This is where we deal with fractures, orthopedics, spinal defects, burns, hands and scoliosis.

Describe a typical day in the life of a nurse. What does the job involve?

For me it includes making sure all the admin and patient files for the day’s clinics are in order, so that the doctor knows which patients will be at which clinics. There are six nurses in total and we work from 7am – 4pm. Whenever one of us is needed elsewhere, another will fill in for us. We work as a team. We assist the doctors with the patients in the clinics, doing things like checking a patient’s pulse, blood pressure and helping with procedures. I also sometimes help with translation.

What skills/talents do you need to do this career?

You’ll need a love for medicine and nursing and to be passionate about people. You need to have an open mind to be able to solve problems and will often have to put yourself in your patient’s shoes in order to help them out. You need compassion for others and their situations.

What is the average starting salary for this career?

Around R150 000 a year, but this also depends on experience and rank. (South Africa). P11424 a month after tax (Botswana). Zambian salary info not available at time of print.

What did you do before your current job?

I was studying IT and completed my A+ and N+ in pc engineering, but I dropped out for financial reasons

What challenges did you confront at the beginning of this career?

Seeing a dead person for the first time was very unsettling. I had seen a body on a hospital bed, but it had been covered up.

What’s your advice to young people wanting to become a nurse?

Don’t listen to the negative stories you hear about nursing. It is a dynamic job that continues to blow you away. It is great to help people. It strengthens you as a person. You accomplish great things and overcome personal issues and feelings.

 

Nursing low down

Botswana
The University of Botswana’s School of Nursing offers a Bachelors degree in Nursing Sciences.
Admissions requirements: Admission is based on the student’s performance in the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examination, or its equivalent, in Science subjects. 

Applicants who register for Bachelor of Nursing Sciences (generic) programmes shall be required:

• To have taken at least five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, at the Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examination or at one sitting of its equivalent;
  
• To obtain a minimum grade of Pass in English Language;
  
• To obtain a minimum grade of credit, or its equivalent, Mathematics.
  
• In addition to the above basic requirements, applicants must have a minimum grade of C, or its equivalent, in at least two of the subjects: Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
  
• A minimum grade of B, or its equivalent in science: Double Award or its equivalent. The other qualifying subject must be one of the following: Development studies, Literature in English , Design and Technology , Agriculture, Art , Food and Nutrition, Computer Studies, Fashion, and Fabrics, Business Studies, Home Management
  

An applicant who has taken relevant Advanced (A)-level or equivalent examinations and attained a minimum of one E and two O’s in the relevant subjects may be admitted to a Bachelor of Science degree programme.

For more information, go to:
www.ub.bw/learning_faculties.cfm?pid=897

South Africa
There are a number of levels of nurses ranging from an ENA (enrolled nurses auxiliary) to a EN (enrolled nurse) to a RN (registered nurse).

Admissions requirements: Most nursing courses require a Matric pass, Higher Grade – E, Standard Grade – D. 2 Language subjects, English and 1 other, Biology, Maths or Science. NOT Maths Literacy.

Where to study:
All the major Universities that have Medical Faculties offer nursing degrees. There are also approved Nursing Education Institutions at private colleges and provincial hospitals.

For a list of nursing education institutions go to:
www.sanc.co.za/neis.htm

Also consult your Provincial Department of Health website or contact them by phone for bursary opportunities and more information on their local institutions.

Zambia
The University of Zambia’s School of Medicine offers a Batchelor of Science in Nursing. Contact the University to discuss entrance requirements (www.unza.zm/].

The Ndola Nursing School also offers courses in general nursing and midwifery where students can train to become registered nurses.

For more information visit:
www.ndolanursingschool.com/home.htmTEACHING