Dr. Gladys Dzansi writes about the attack on the nurse at Manhyia .

Dr Gladys Dzansi Writes

I have been reflecting on the misconduct and the reactions of the NSSrD. It reminded me of a simple activity I introduced for every 1st year of nursing class as a teaching assistant at the time (2003-2005). I will ask each student to write their reason for accepting to read nursing at the University of Ghana. We reviewed the reasons together and discussed them. My aim was to identify the gap and motivate them to imbibe professional commitment and accountability. Surprisingly an estimated 10 out of 50 students gave reasons that showed a passion for the job. The responses that required rethinking included: My parents ask me to choose nursing, my family abroad said I should read nursing so I can join them, I applied for medicine but did not get it, and I am sure of getting a job upon completion. I took the opportunity to write an article in the student journal under the code name Labia Majora to explain these reasons and why no matter the circumstances once you accept to read nursing you have to do it with all your heart and mind. I was then assisting Mrs. Faustina Oware-Gyekye ( now Professor) in teaching Nursing Theories, Perspectives of Nursing, and Tools and Methods of Teaching. I am grateful for that opportunity because the exposure enabled me to build my passion for the profession beyond doubt. My love for nursing made me abandon my accounting program in the final year (I did write the exam anyway). My parents of blessed memory did not want me to be a nurse although my mother was a nurse. I fought all odds and then purposed in my heart that I will not just be a nurse but a nurse with a difference and to the glory of God I am proud of who I have become and becoming.

So to wake up and hear a man who should know better making mockery of knowledge and power because of anger is worrying but revealing. He said he teaches science right, why is he teaching science? My basic psychology exposure makes me predict the daughter is living his dreams? I may miss my assumption but his reaction is ill-timed, misplaced, and self-destructive. Scripture is clear: ‘ANGER lies in the bosom of a fool’. As a spiritual species,I sense that he has offended many people who prayed ‘Job 27:7 Let my enemy be exposed as wicked. Let the adversary be proven guilty.

The reaction of nurses to the comments is an explosion of a more complex phenomenon that had sublimed but risked waking up if poorly managed. Nurses in the past were not very assertive so although being the majority workforce within the health sector had to endure workplace politics that sort of undermined professional autonomy and interdependence. Policies were made to favor a few and leave the majority behind. We were rewriting the narrative gradually and mending broken bridges until a viral video that had a member of the leadership of a health professional association make comments that were bruising to other professionals in the sector. We were trying to heal when this loving father felt like adding insult to injury. Trust the leadership of professional nurses, they responded appropriately. Social and traditional media is blazing with condemnation and there is a trending of General Arts students.

Nurses and Midwives have come very far. For a nurse to become a Vice Chancellor in a public University? We are focused on building ourselves and the profession and our detractors embolden our resolve. A number of nurses have been called to the bar, we will raise nurse economists, nurse engineers, nurse politicians, nurses in the media, nurses in technology…name them. Our resolve is the legacy of a profession that has matured as an academic discipline, a vocation, and a human science. We are increasing visibility in the world of research science, leadership and governance, professional excellence, and accountability. There are a few internal political nuances to manage but this too shall be sorted.

We call on all friends and collaborators to join us. For reasons earlier stated, not every nurse is passionate about the science of caring, hence, you may encounter bitter-pilled care. Bear with us while we nib the few bad nuts. We care with our Heads, Hearts, and Hands. In some cases, the 3 combinations may be missing but not lost.

The events evoke a bigger conversation about our educational system. Major issues include poorly structured modules and content, inappropriate teaching and evaluation methods, parent-led career decisions, structural inequalities, and lack of political will just to mention a few. I look forward to a revolutionary change in the structure and form of education in Ghana.

Long live the nation Ghana!

Long live the Nursing and Midwifery fraternity
‘Unity is Strength’

Signed.
Gladys Akorfa Dzansi ( PhD, RN, Genearal Arts)
Senior Lecturer
Department of Adult Health
School of Nursing and Midwifery
University of Ghana
Legon.