Introduction:

1. What is your name?

Bonisiwe Mngomezulu

2. Which hospice do you work for?

Stepping Stone Hospice

3. What do you do there?

Care worker.

4. How long have you been there?

Around 8 years.

In-depth:

1. Why did you decide to focus on palliative care?

I decided to do palliative care training after experiencing a lot of deaths at Hospice.

2. What gives you the greatest fulfilment?

I am very good at caring, and seeing my patients dying pain free, with dignity fulfils me.

3. What do you find the most challenging?

The profession itself is very challenging due to illnesses and diseases that come with the job.  As a nurse we have to love and not judge anyone because of their condition. We see different illnesses all the time.

 4. What do you think people find the most challenging about a life-threatening diagnosis?

The most challenging about the life threatening diagnosis is to be told your life is limited.  Acceptance and denial are commonly a challenge.

5. What do you think that you personally bring to your job that reflects who you are as a person?

I am a bubbly person which comes handy in the work I do.  I don’t take things personally – I am a full parcel of joy.

5. How do you take care of your own health and balance?

Healing prayers are my debriefing sessions – this is where I draw my strength and balance, even before I consult a health practitioner.

 6. What is your advice to anyone else wishing to join your profession?

I tell them the truth – the challenges involved in the profession, and I advise them to love their job and its long hours.

 7. What is your advice to anyone given a life-threatening diagnosis?

Counselling and acceptance play a major role in assisting the patient to deal with the life threatening illness.

 8. What is your advice to the loved ones of anyone who is given a life-threatening diagnosis?

Families of a patient can be difficult to deal with, sometimes they are even worse than the patient.  Counselling plays a vital role in assisting the families to understand the illness and dispel the myths.

9. How do your loved ones feel about the work that you do?

It is not easy being a nurse.  Sometimes we are exposed to situations which can easily be transferrable to our families. Yes, my loved ones do feel scared but accept it is my job.

 10. What do you like the most about the hospice that you work with?

At SSH I feel at home, I am given an opportunity to express myself and I give out my best.  The ongoing training gives me confidence to excel at what I do.

11. Do you have a “motto” that you tend to live by that you would like to share?

“LIVE AND LET LIVE”

NOTE FROM CEO: Boni is a wise lady who loves her job.  She has a beautiful smile and a gentle manner.  Boni is deeply religious and leans on her faith to cope with the emotions of the job.