“Nursing or healthcare doesn’t just end at the bedside…”
Nursing is mostly known for hospital wards, bedside care, and long shifts; however, the profession goes even far beyond the traditional clinical settings.
This was the message at the third Global Summit that took place at the Galleria Conference Centre in Sandton on 31 October, where nurses and healthcare professionals came together under the theme: From Healing to Leading, to explore new possibilities within the sector of healthcare.
The summit was hosted by Nurse Business Solutions (NBS). It focused on empowering nurses to explore entrepreneurship, establish private practices, develop specialised services, and take up leadership roles within the healthcare sector.
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Behind the initiative is Sister Maureen Rapholo, a professional nurse with 21 years of experience, who has moved since to entrepreneurship. She is the founder of Nurse Business Solutions as well as Exclusive Medical Agency.
Rapholo mentions that her own experience of establishing a healthcare business exposed her to the financial challenges, difficulties in finding collaboration, and the importance of having access to the right networks.
Even though this was not an easy journey, it opened her up to a recognition of opportunities that are available to nurses and inspired her to make that journey more accessible to others.
“I learnt a lot through that struggle and I decided to say, it’s doable at the end of the day. There’s a lot of opportunities for nurses,” she said.
Rapholo aims to help nurses navigate the process of building health care businesses by connecting them with relevant information – training, skills development, compliance guidance and professional networks.
Her message is that nurses should not feel limited to only working in hospitals.
“You are not destined to work only in the hospital,” she said as she highlighted opportunities in corporate healthcare, medical distribution, private practice and training.
The summit brought together professionals from different areas of healthcare to explore what these opportunities look like in practice.
Registered nurse and healthcare content creator Lesego Rampe, founder and CEO of Thari Nurse and Beyond, shared how nursing extends into the corporate environment, particularly through managed care.
Working in this area herself, Rampe highlighted that nurses contribute to the administrative side of healthcare including the assessment of medical information, the coordination of patient care, and supporting the process involved in medical aid claims.
She uses her social media as a platform to introduce nurses to career paths they may not have previously considered.
“Nursing or healthcare doesn’t just end at the bedside, there is more to it,” she said.
Nevertheless, exploring these opportunities brings forth responsibilities, especially when nurses build their own healthcare facilities.
Patience Ntamane from the Gauteng Department of Health talked about the importance of understanding licensing requirements, regulations and quality standards when setting up healthcare establishments.
She mentioned that obtaining permission to operate is just the beginning because practitioners should also comply with rules and procedures designed to protect patients.
“You are permitted, but permission on its own is not enough. You need to comply.” Ntamane said.
She highlighted that patient safety must always remain central to the way healthcare services are delivered and established.
Dr Tracey De Klerk, who was also one of the programme directors at the summit, highlighted the significance of empowering nurses to understand the legal responsibilities that come with their profession. She emphasised the fact that the law must form foundation of nursing practice, helping practitioners avoid professional difficulties while protecting patients, families and communities.
Moving past business developments and regulatory compliance, the programme also explored specialised areas of healthcare – including wound care, renal nursing, vascular access, aesthetic healthcare, home based care and occupational health.
The conversations in the room emphasised the importance of equipping nurses with both clinical knowledge and the business; leadership and skills needed to expand their contribution to healthcare.
Although it was formal, the summit also made room for entertainment, with a special performance by Lindo Mtangayi, adding to the programme of the day and giving guests an opportunity to enjoy a moment of connection and celebration.
According to Rapholo, the theme is a reflection of her own journey. After 21 years spent healing as a nurse, her focus is now on leading, building businesses and creating opportunities for other nurses.
This transition is one she described as moving “from employee to employer” and hopes that more nurses recognise their potential to do the same.
The response to this year’s summit encouraged Rapholo, and she hopes to double the attendance at the next edition, with Cape Town being considered a possible host city.
At its core, From Healing to Leading reminds us that the future of nursing can take many forms. By means of private practice, corporate healthcare, specialised services or leadership, nurses can shape the sector beyond bedside while keeping safe and responsible patient care at the centre of their work.
By Sinentlahla Mbokwe
