Introduction:

1. What is your name?

Nadia Boonzaaier

2. Which hospice do you work for?

Franschhoek Hospice

3. What do you do there?

Professional Registered Nurse

4. How long have you been there?

18 years

In depth:

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

It was more the idea of doing home nursing as opposed to hospital work that drew me to Palliative care. Sr. Henriette Crause worked with me at Medi Clinic and left to work at Franschhoek Hospice. She and Sr. Pam Lewis received me and I came here and left.

2. What gives you the greatest fulfilment?

Seeing the difference Palliative care makes in a patient and his family’s life. Having a patient and his spouse say that they slept well.

 3. What do you find the most challenging?

We are only two Sisters at Hospice, being on call every second weekend.

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

That they will not have enough time to do what they planned. That they will suffer or die in pain.

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

Calm

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

Road trips near or far, cooking for family and spending time with the grandchildren.

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

This is not a job to come to when you feel you want to retire, but by all means come!

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

Breathe.

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

Breathe get your affairs in order and make memories.

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

They love the fact that I’m home every day. My husband is from Franschhoek and he knows the community.

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

We are a small group that has been together > 10 years. We understand each other quirks, we talk and laugh every day.

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

Be kind.