An interview with the Students' Choice: Most Inspirational Nursing Mentor award recipient, Ms Nomvelo Tyala

 

1. What does receiving this award mean to you personally and professionally?

(We are curious about how it resonates with your journey and how you hope it might encourage others.)

 

Personally, it meant the recognition of the hard work that I put in. Moulding the students for a brighter future in Nursing since I started the program in February 2018 to date. 

 

It indicated the impact I have on students' progress. This covers 1st - to 4th-year levels, to see them getting to the final year and qualifying as Registered Nurses.

 

Professionally - nomination by students meant that I made an impact on their nursing journey. 

My journey with them gave me such encouragement to continue through challenges, sweat and tears.

 

I also enjoyed lighter moments with them; with jokes, encouraging them that they have made the best decision in studying Nursing. 

 

My journey is entirely based on the passion I am blessed with. To meet my students in placement in full uniform with their distinguishing devices on their shoulders. 

 

I always feel so proud of them with contentment, a surge of achievement through my heart, coupled with goosebumps. 

 

2. Looking back, is there a moment or contribution in your nursing career that you feel especially proud of?

(It could be a breakthrough, a turning point, or something that made a lasting difference.)

 

To be a South African-trained Nurse opened doors for me to be accepted in the United Kingdom to practice as a Registered Nurse. Furthermore, I was given countless opportunities to serve in higher posts with a lot of responsibility. 

 

That was testament that our training is the best and highly recognised internationally.

The opportunity to share the wealth of experience and expertise with my student nurses at NMU over the last 8 years. 

 

3. Who has been an important mentor in your nursing career?

(We would love to hear about someone who helped shape your path.)

 

My nursing career was impacted positively by the following people: Mrs Kingsley (my principal at Charlotte Searle Nursing College), Nursing service managers, and my patients from various institutions, Nelson Mandela University personnel and student nurses. 

 

4. What motivates you in your nursing career?

(Whether it is the people, the challenges, or the purpose, what keeps you going?)

 

Purpose - to serve with passion, focused on nurturing the neophytes to achieve their goals and to teach them to be safe practitioners. 

 

To provide my students with a solid foundation through my experience and knowledge. To be relatable and provide a fun learning environment that will ensure my students remember me wherever they practice on completion. For them to actually hear my voice and remember my teachings as they continue to practice as nurses in years to come. 

 

People - it is meeting, working and communicating with different nations from all walks of life. 

That gives capabilities to be instilled in students who will learn and be confident in communication. 

 

Challenges - the struggles Nursing is facing these days is honestly saddening.

 

The examples are deteriorating of placement areas; shortage of personnel leading to less or no support of students; shortage of equipment that leads to improvising; it leads to the unfortunate situation of failure for students to see and use the equipment they practice with. There is room for improvement, though. 

 

5. How do you keep your practice fresh and informed in a field that is always evolving?

(Feel free to share how you engage with new knowledge, research, or teaching.)

 

Reading prescribed books. 

 

Updating by searching for the latest research updates. 

 

Attending outside University-organised Mentor refresher courses. 

 

6. What is next for you? Are there any goals or hopes you are working toward in your professional journey?

(We are interested in what growth or impact you are aiming for, whether big or small.)

 

My goal is to retire with gratitude, joy and contentment. 

 

Many thanks for the request for my honest response in appreciation of the award I received.