The Very First Step Towards Empowering Nurses: Transforming Healthcare Through Informatics

Hosted by Suzette Ferreira Venue: The Barnyard, Vereeniging Date: September 17, 2024

Introduction

The Nursing Empowerment Summit marked a significant milestone in healthcare as nurses across South Africa gathered to explore the transformative field of Nursing Informatics. Hosted in Vereeniging, this event aimed to inspire, educate, and equip nurses with the tools and knowledge necessary to excel in a rapidly digitalizing healthcare landscape. From personal empowerment to leadership, the summit provided a comprehensive overview of how nurses can elevate patient care, streamline workflows, and expand their careers.

The decision to host this inaugural summit in Vereeniging was deeply personal for me, as it’s where my healthcare journey began. Hosting this event here allowed me to give back to a community that shaped my career and nurtured my passion for nursing. The Nursing Empowerment Summit is just the beginning—future events will be hosted across South Africa to ensure that nurses from all regions benefit from this empowering experience.

The summit was inspired by my experience at the Digital Divas Event in Cape Town’s Innovation City Cape Town , organized by Michelle Kleu and her team. Their energy, passion, and creativity motivated me to create a similar event specifically for the nursing profession. Nurses, like the attendees at the Digital Divas event, deserve to be empowered in a colorful and unique way—so I set out to do just that, with a vision to empower nurses in Nursing Informatics and professional growth.

Event Highlights

The event officially kicked off with a warm welcome and registration, allowing nurses to mingle over coffee and tea before settling into the day's sessions. Each attendee was given a raffle number for the exciting prize draws throughout the day, adding a playful and engaging atmosphere to the event.

Opening remarks set the stage for the day, followed by the first session, "The World is Your Oyster," where I shared my personal journey of growth and leadership, encouraging nurses to take control of their careers.

One of the unique and memorable moments of the summit was the special presentation of the song "Under the Umbrella of Your Love". This song, written by myself and based on my personal journey with God, was beautifully performed by singer Pierre Rossouw through a pre-recorded track. The song, which perfectly captured the themes of love, unity, and empowerment, will be officially released both nationally and internationally in three weeks, giving all attendees a special preview of this powerful piece.

Inspiring Speakers and Insightful Discussions

The summit brought together top professionals in healthcare, offering diverse perspectives through keynotes and panel discussions. From Nursing Informatics to personal empowerment, every session highlighted the evolving role of nurses in the digital healthcare age.

Faith Wesson ’s keynote, “Owning Your Power,” was an incredible highlight. Her talk empowered nurses to embrace their personal strengths, own their leadership, and step into their roles with confidence.

• Faith captured the essence of mental wellness, and we even kicked off the day with karaoke, singing “I Lived” by One Republic—a perfect way to uplift spirits and embrace positivity.
• She passionately spoke about the struggles nurses face—burnout, long hours, and the emotional toll of their work—but ended on a high note, reminding us all that our struggles don’t define our purpose.
• Faith’s session truly celebrated nurses as the backbone of healthcare, validating their daily battles and restoring their sense of power.

Sharon Vasuthevan led a truly impactful session on Nursing Empowerment, challenging attendees to think big, embrace leadership, and own their roles in shaping the future of healthcare. She urged nurses to step outside their comfort zones, reminding them that true growth happens when we stretch beyond what feels safe.

• Dr. Sharon emphasized the importance of coaching and mentorship, encouraging attendees to not only seek guidance but also to become mentors themselves.
• Get involved, be someone’s mentor. Don’t relish in your own comfort—your knowledge and experience can inspire others to soar. Nursing is a calling, and part of that calling is to lift as you rise. Her presentation served as a rallying call for nurses to take ownership of their careers while fostering the growth of future leaders in healthcare.

Londekile Ntsiba , a nurse entrepreneur and childbirth educator, shared her inspiring journey of turning crisis into innovation. During her presentation, she emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities and embracing entrepreneurship within the healthcare sector, particularly during challenging times like the COVID pandemic.

• Londekile passionately advocated for nurses to take an active role in shaping the tools they use every day. She shared a powerful snippet from her talk:
• "The pandemic made me realize that nurses are the end users of many of the tools we use daily, yet we don’t often get to shape them. Why are we waiting for others to reshape them for us when we can be the ones to design them in the first place?"
• This realization led her to develop her own CTG (cardiotocography) belt, a tool she knew could be improved from the perspective of a nurse who uses it firsthand. Her innovative spirit and hands-on experience inspired attendees to consider how they, too, can lead change and innovation within their respective fields.

Engaging Panel Discussions

The summit included several thought-provoking panel discussions, where I had the privilege of moderating and posing key questions to the panelists.

Panel Discussion 1: The Role of Nursing Informatics in Healthcare

• Led by experts from SAHIA South African Health Informatics Assocation , this panel discussion provided an in-depth look into the transformative potential of Nursing Informatics in healthcare. Dr. Rajeev Rao Eashwari and Marieta Liebenberg shared insights on how digital tools like electronic health records (EHRs), clinical decision support systems (CDSS), and telehealth platforms are streamlining workflows, improving patient care, and elevating the role of nurses within multidisciplinary healthcare teams. They discussed how informatics is bridging gaps in care coordination and enhancing patient outcomes. The session encouraged nurses to embrace these tools and see themselves as leaders in the digital healthcare revolution, highlighting the growing need for digital literacy in nursing.

Panel Discussion 2: Integration of Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) into Nursing Workflows

• Representatives from Lancet Laboratories and Ampath Laboratories —explored the integration of Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) into nursing workflows. This discussion illuminated how LIS, by automating and digitizing lab processes, is reshaping healthcare, making it faster and more accurate to diagnose and treat patients. The panelists explained how the collaboration between nurses and labs is becoming more fluid thanks to digital integration, resulting in more seamless communication, fewer errors, and quicker turnaround times for lab results. Nurses were encouraged to see themselves as critical components in this evolving digital ecosystem, where data and efficiency are key.

Panel Discussion 3: Preparing for the Future of Nursing in a Digital Hospital Environment

• Mediclinic Vereeniging Nursing executives discussed the future of nursing in a digital hospital environment, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the changes brought by technology. The discussion emphasized how technology is changing hospital operations, from patient monitoring to electronic health records, and how these innovations are impacting nursing roles. The panelists spoke about the importance of preparing for the digital transformation by adopting new skills and mindsets, ensuring nurses remain at the forefront of healthcare delivery. They also highlighted the need for ongoing education and collaboration between nurses and IT professionals to ensure smooth transitions into fully digitalized hospital environments. The conversation underscored the exciting opportunities that technology brings, but also the challenges, including the need for upskilling to meet these demands.

Panel Discussion 4: Co-Authoring Health Information Systems in Nursing

• One of the highlights of the summit was a special panel discussion featuring Dr. Sharon Vasuthevan and myself. Together, we explored our journey of co-authoring Health Information Systems in Nursing and discussed the vital role of integrating Nursing Informatics into South Africa's healthcare education system. We shared the challenges of writing the book—long hours of dedication, often while balancing full-time jobs—and how we said "yes" to this important project knowing its potential impact.
• To bring the discussion to life, we presented a verbal illustration from Chapter 3, pages 38 and 39, which showcased a day in the life of Nurse Lerato in a fully digitalized hospital. This example allowed the audience to envision the practical, real-world applications of Nursing Informatics and the future of nursing in a digital healthcare environment. It was an honor to share this deeply meaningful moment with the attendees, inspiring them to embrace the power of education and leadership in shaping the future of nursing.

Raffle Draws and Prizes: Adding Fun to Learning

To keep the energy high throughout the day, we had multiple raffle draws that added a playful and engaging twist to the event. Attendees could win a range of exciting prizes, from signed copies of Health Information Systems in Nursing to special online courses.

One of the most fun moments came with the AI-generated image competition. Attendees were challenged to generate AI images on-site, and the three most creative images were awarded with MANCOSA’s short courses on "Digitalising Administration in Healthcare: Modern Practices," alongside a signed copy of the book. This interactive competition highlighted the potential of AI in healthcare while making learning fun!

Gratitude to Sponsors

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible sponsors who have generously contributed to making the Nursing Empowerment Summit a reality. Without their support, this event would not have been possible.

• Juta and Company (Pty) Ltd : For their generous contribution of three copies of Health Information Systems in Nursing to be gifted to lucky winners and providing goodie bag items. They have also arranged for Van Schaik Bookstore to sell copies of Healthcare books on-site, further supporting nursing education and professional development.
• Lancet Laboratories : Due to their generous financial contribution, we were able to cover the costs of the venue, coffee, tea, and beverages for the event. Lancet also had a booth set up at the event, providing informative materials and goodies for attendees to enjoy, and they also send Lab representatives to actively participate in our panel discussions.
• MANCOSA : For sponsoring five short courses titled "Digitalising Administration in Healthcare: Modern Practices," to be awarded to lucky winners. These CPD-accredited courses offer key upskilling opportunities to nurses, empowering them to thrive in the evolving digital healthcare landscape.
• Ampath Laboratories : For their kind financial contribution, loads of bottles of water and branded pens for the goodie bags, as well as for sending representatives to join the panel discussions. Ampath’s engagement will provide critical insights into the future of laboratory nursing and healthcare informatics.

• SAHIA South African Health Informatics Assocation : For their financial sponsorship and active participation in the event. We are honored to welcome Dr. Rajeev Eashwari, President of SAHIA and an esteemed medical doctor in South Africa, and RN Marieta Liebenberg to share their expertise in the field of healthcare informatics through a panel discussion.
• Mediclinic : We are grateful to Mediclinic for sending key nursing leaders to participate in our panel discussions. They have also prepared 20 gift bags for the event’s speakers, and some of their nursing staff attending and actively engaging throughout the day, making valuable contributions to the summit’s success.
• Boervrou Beauty: For sponsoring a special gift voucher, offering one lucky nurse the chance to be pampered with a luxurious manicure and pedicure after the event. This generous contribution from a local beauty business in Vereeniging adds a lovely personal touch to our day of empowerment and recognition.
• Barnyard Theatre, Vereeniging: For their incredible generosity in significantly reducing the venue costs and for setting up the stage, managing the lighting, sound, and speaker presentations—ensuring that the event runs smoothly and professionally. A special shout-out to Lee Brune, who provided me with incredible emotional comfort by taking full responsibility for setting up the stage, managing the lighting, sound, and speaker presentations. His flawless execution meant I never once had to worry about anything going wrong. His dedication and attention to detail allowed me to focus entirely on the event, knowing everything behind the scenes was in expert hands.

Each sponsor played an invaluable role in the success of the event, and I am deeply grateful for their commitment to empowering the nursing community.

The Power of Coaching and Mentorship

Mentorship and coaching emerged as key themes, with many speakers emphasizing the value of supporting one another and cultivating future leaders. My own mentee, Lethibe Mokgwadi , had the incredible opportunity to serve as the event’s MC, showcasing her growth in public speaking. Her confidence and charisma made her the perfect choice for the role, and she did an amazing job guiding us through the day's agenda.

Mentorship doesn’t just elevate individuals; it transforms entire careers and helps build a more resilient nursing workforce. I encourage every nurse to seek mentors and, in turn, mentor others to create a thriving community of empowered healthcare professionals.

A Family Effort

Organizing the summit was a labor of love, and I couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of my family. A special thank you to my sister Gerda and my brother Bennie Nel and his family for their invaluable help with last-minute arrangements. They were my pillars throughout this process, and I’m blessed to have such an amazing family by my side. God has truly blessed this event, and I believe that the 82 attendees who showed up were the ones meant to be there—sent by Him.

A huge thank you also goes to my Proto Care (Pty) Ltd Founders, Helgard and Alex, for believing in the vision and helping to make this summit possible. Together, we are on a mission to empower nurses and healthcare professionals, and I am confident that this is just the beginning.

Reconnecting with Old Friends: A Heartfelt Reunion

It was such a heartwarming experience to reconnect with old colleagues and friends—nurses who shaped me, laughed with me, and even cried with me during the early days of my career back in the 1990s. Spending the day with these incredible individuals, many of whom I’ve shared life’s most meaningful moments with, was truly special. The camaraderie, memories, and shared passion for nursing made the summit even more memorable. Let’s make sure we stay connected and continue to support one another as we navigate this journey of growth, empowerment, and transformation in healthcare together.

Looking Ahead

This Nursing Empowerment Summit was the first of many to come. Our next stop? Cape Town—a city that holds a special place in my heart. I am beyond excited to bring the next iteration of this summit to nurses in the Western Cape.

In conclusion, I have complete faith that this summit was exactly what it was meant to be—a powerful, inspiring, and transformative event. God has guided this journey, and I am grateful for every person who attended, every speaker who shared their wisdom, and every sponsor who made it all possible.

Connect with Us After the Event

To stay connected with future events or explore how we can bring Nursing Informatics and healthcare transformation to your region, please feel free to reach out:

Suzette Ferreira Founder at Proto Care (Pty) Ltd and Published Author of Health Information Systems in Nursing.