Nursing a fulfilling career

Malta's aging population will strain a health care system that might be further aggravated by a dwindling interest in the nursing profession. Aware of this future scenario, the government has launched a campaign to put nursing back on the career map. Claudia Calleja spoke to four successful professionals whose daughters chose to become a nurse.

Parent: Franco Montesin, architect and senior University lecturer
I must admit, initially I was a bit disappointed my daughter chose to become a nurse because I believed teaching was the ideal profession for a woman. However, I now fully embrace her choice and I'm glad she studied to be a nurse. Ultimately, it's her life and it was up to her to decide what she wanted to do.

Besides, she still went into some form of teaching because she also lectures at the University. And I'm glad to have someone in the medical profession in the family. It's great to be able to consult a family member about health issues.

Nurse: Charmaine Attard, assistant lecturer at the University
I chose to become a nurse because I wanted to be able to help people professionally at a time when they needed to be cared for. I knew it would give me the satisfaction I had always sought.

This profession offers diversity in terms of a career and the unique honour to be with people in their most vulnerable state, to preserve their dignity and to be the person they trust with their treasured secrets. To bathe a person, to help them die peacefully, to help them eat or defend their rights, when they cannot do so themselves, puts the nurse in a unique position.

Nurses have the capability of changing the patient's experience of illness or well-being from a negative to a positive one. Sometimes, it's physically and mentally tiring to care for patients day in, day out and it's hard to see someone die or suffer. You always feel maybe you could have done more. My motto to all students is: If you stop caring, leave nursing because caring is central to what we do.

Parent: Jill Camilleri, consul for New Zealand in Malta
I'll never forget the day Michelle came home from school one day, when she was in Form IV, and announced she knew what she wanted to be. That day a nurse from the Institute of Health Care had gone to speak at her school. The only problem was that, at the time, nursing was perceived as a low-status job so we discussed a way to sell the idea to her father. We agreed on telling him it was a broad-based degree and she would be able to look after him when he grew old... there was no response to that.

Nurse: Michelle Camilleri, University lecturer
I always liked working with people. Since my mother was a teacher and my dad a banker I vowed never to work in an office or teach, which is ironic since, today, I lecture at the University and work from my office.

Before that I worked in the emergency departments in hospitals in Malta, England and New Zealand. Once I decided on a medical path, after that Form IV lecture, I decided to go to the University like my brother. I knew nursing would allow me to work anywhere in the world.

The great thing about nursing is you touch so many people's lives. Unlike other healthcare professionals, who focus on a single medical aspect, a nurse takes a more holistic approach and witnesses patients' health deteriorating or improving.

Because we spend so much time with them we are in a position to point things out to doctors. While filled with rewards, the worst aspect of nursing in hospitals is shift life.

Parent: Eddie Fenech Adami, former President and Prime Minister
When Maria first told us she wanted to become a nurse, many years ago, I was full of encouragement. She was going to be working to help other people and we encouraged that without hesitation.

As parents we never pressured her into any specific career path. She was always intent on helping others and involved herself in volunteer work, including working with Mother Teresa. I think this helped her a great deal in her career choice.

Nurse: Maria Cassar, staff nurse and lecturer
I chose nursing because the degree programme led to a career that offered a large variety of job opportunities in healthcare locally and overseas.

The various facets of a nurse's role were attractive: helping the sick, promoting health, teaching and educating students. The current opportunities for career and academic progression are perhaps unique to nursing. The opportunities are massive, especially given the shortage.

In the past, nursing carried an unfavourable image. However, this changed largely as a result of widened and more significant contributions nurses give to the healthcare system.

Many view nursing as a back-breaking job and, while you can't deny that it does challenge energy levels, this is addressed by the possibility to work flexible, shorter hours while new equipment helps make the job less tiring.

Parent: Joseph Zarb Adami, consultant anaesthetist
As a doctor I always thought my daughter would try out for a doctor. She always had a very caring nature so I was not surprised when she decided to go for nursing.

When my mother had dementia, Claire was the only family member who could calm her down. The whole family has a special affection for her because of that. We are very proud of her.

Her work is of high quality and, now I've seen her at work with my own mother, I can appreciate her work more. It's truly an honour to have a daughter dedicate her life to helping people while earning her living.

Nurse: Claire Zarb Adami, works at Mater Dei Hospital's ITU
I always felt useful being able to look after someone when they are not well. It always felt good to give, so I found my place in nursing. It's an honour and a privilege to be able to help people and offer them hope.

Doctors are there for shorter periods of time when compared to nurses. We spend hours with patients and this puts us in a great position to truly get to know them and help them out on different levels.

I'm a very sensitive person and, when it came to choosing my career, I had to take this into consideration given the nature of the job. The sensitivity towards patients never goes away but your coping mechanisms improve with time.

When I chose nursing the salary was never an issue since I love my job and the rewards are great. However, as you start making plans to buy a house you do start feeling the gap between the pay and the hard work. Having said that, I must stress, I really love my job.

Caring campaign

In an attempt to entice students to take up nursing, the government has launched a campaign to address the shortage of these essential professionals that is being felt across the globe.

The campaign, which involves television and radio adverts and distribution of leaflets, is targeted at young people and their parents, seeking to help them understand the versatility of the nursing profession. Also, due to the worldwide shortage, job security is guaranteed.

The duration of the diploma and bachelors' degrees in nursing, offered at the University of Malta, has been reduced from four years to three. The courses have been made more efficient and are fully compliant with EU directives on nursing education. Students would have the opportunity to spend a semester in a foreign university as part of the Erasmus exchange programme.

The new course focuses on personal and professional development and allows students to gain experience in theory and practice at various levels, such as primary healthcare, mental health care and at hospitals.

For more information phone 2340 1571/2340 1831 or send an e-mail to ihc@um.edu.