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Nursing Students at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19
By: Rosina Mamorobela
To assist in ensuring that a large number of people receive the COVID 19 vaccine and alleviating the pressure on qualified nurses, fourth year nursing students at SG Laurens Nursing College have come on board to strengthen the ongoing vaccination rollout programme.
Sr Annah Nkgoeng, the facility Manager at Soshanguve 2 Clinic, where the student nurses are placed said that the initiative gone a long way in relieving pressure of the vaccination programme at the clinic.
"The addition of these students has really brought much needed relief to the vaccination programme and assisted us in reducing the workload. I only had three sister vaccinators but since their arrival, waiting periods have been reduced and queues move quicker than before", explained the jovial Nkgoeng. 
Four nursing students were placed at the facility to work as vaccinators and one of them, Ofentse Mogano (24), who hails from Soshanguve Block FF said that he is happy for the opportunity and cannot wait to join other frontline workers on a full time basis.
"I see this as a learning curve. This is also an opportunity for us as nursing students to get onsite experience, serve the community and gain much-needed experience. This serves as a major highlight in my career," said Mogano.
In addition, Magano said that he was honoured to be able to help since it has always been his dream to become a nurse.  "I started working in the vaccination programme together with a team of qualified nurses from clinic at the beginning of the Halala vaccination phase.
"I was happy when I received a call regarding my placement. We received extensive training on the vaccine and the administering process.
Covid-19 took lot of lives in our communities and being here for me means that I can play a vital role in fighting this deadly pandemic. The best part about this experience is that I am doing something that I enjoy. I've always had a passion to help people," he said proudly.
Although Mogano is one of a few male nurses, he indicated that people who come for vaccination are always happy to receive his service. He further encouraged eligible people to go to vaccination sites and get vaccinated to protect themselves against the deadly virus.