At St John’s Old Age Home in Winterveldt, north of Tshwane, the quiet rhythm of daily life was transformed when first-year Nursing and Midwifery students from Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) arrived with energy, warmth, and purpose. For two days, the students stepped beyond their lecture halls and into the lives of the elderly, proving that nursing is as much about compassion as it is about clinical skill.
The outreach, guided by the theme “Providing Nursing Care to the Needy Beyond Bedside Nursing”, was led by Clinical Facilitator Marubini Yvonne Rambuwani with the full support of Professor Deliwe Phetlhu, Head of the Nursing Department. Together, they challenged students to see nursing not only as a profession but as a calling rooted in humanity.
From the moment they entered the home, the students brought life into its corridors. They offered basic nursing and comfort care, health assessments, grooming services such as safe nail cutting and oral hygiene, and created spaces of companionship that gave residents a renewed sense of dignity. For many, the greatest gift was not medical intervention, but the presence of young people who listened, laughed, and cared.
“The outreach goes beyond clinical skills—it’s about nurturing compassion, respect, and dignity,” reflected Rambuwani. “Our students showed great commitment, and the residents were truly touched by their kindness.”
For the students, the experience was equally profound. Many were engaging with geriatric nursing for the first time, learning that small acts of care—holding a hand, sharing a conversation, offering a smile—could have an impact as powerful as any procedure.
Level 1 BNAM student Noluyanda Maseko captured the feeling: “Being part of this programme made me realise how much of a difference small acts of care can make. The residents were so grateful, and it made me proud to be training as a nurse who can give back to the community.”
Professor Phetlhu stressed the importance of embedding such experiences into the Nursing curriculum. For her, community engagement is not an add-on, but a cornerstone of SMU’s vision for health sciences education. “This initiative reflects the essence of nursing as a profession rooted in service,” she said. “It helps our students understand that nursing is not just about procedures, but about respecting humanity and improving quality of life.”
What made the outreach especially meaningful was the recognition that St John’s is not merely a care facility, but the permanent home of its residents. Students were not only tending to health needs—they were stepping into lives, affirming dignity, and strengthening bonds between the University and the community.
As the programme closed, the smiles of both students and residents revealed its impact. For the elderly, it was companionship and care. For the students, it was a lesson in humanity that no textbook could provide.
Through initiatives like these, SMU continues to shape a new generation of nurses—professionals equipped with skill, empathy, and a deep commitment to community well-being.
By Dimakatso Modise
