Nurse of Month – September 2026 – Melonie Douwie

Our “Nurse of the Month” is chosen for their extraordinary contributions and the positive impact they make on patients, colleagues, and the community.

This is our way of honouring their work—and sharing the stories that inspire us all.

Please join us in congratulating Melonie Douwie as our Nurse of the Month for September!

To help you get to know Melonie a little better, we asked a few questions about her journey, what motivates her, and what nursing means to her:

What Inspired You To Become A Nurse?

“My mother was my biggest inspiration. She was always so energised when she spoke about how much she loved caring for her patients. Seeing her in her full nursing uniform, complete with her cap and cape, made a lasting impression on me. I knew from a young age that I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives, just as she did.

I would often watch her nurse family members back to health and respond whenever neighbours needed her help. In my eyes, she was a real Florence Nightingale. Her compassion, dedication, and willingness to help others inspired me to follow in her footsteps.”

What Is Your Current Position?

“I am currently working as an ICU Nurse at the bedside, providing direct patient care. Throughout my career, I have also had the opportunity to serve as an ICU Unit Manager, where I guided, mentored, and supported staff working directly with patients.

My nursing journey began as an Enrolled Nursing Assistant, a role I held for seven years. I knew I was capable of achieving more and wanted to further my education by completing a four-year Diploma in Nursing. Initially, I did not have enough matric points to qualify, so I returned to night school to improve my results. After successfully completing my matric subjects, I was accepted into the nursing programme at Addington Hospital, where I was working at the time.

After qualifying, I gained experience at several hospitals, which broadened my clinical skills and opened opportunities abroad. I later worked in Saudi Arabia, where my leadership abilities were recognised. Although I was recruited as a Staff Nurse, management identified my potential and offered me a Charge Nurse position, a role in which I thrived.”

How Many Years Have You Been A Nurse?

“This year marks 32 years in the nursing profession, including my seven years as an Enrolled Nursing Assistant”

What Is The Most Rewarding Part Of Your Job?

“The most rewarding part is seeing patients get better day by day and become able to complete activities of daily living. Their appreciation, as well as being the person who can help someone when they are helpless, is also very rewarding.”

Name One Time I Made You Proud To Be A Nurse.

“There have been many proud moments throughout my career, but one that stands out is when junior nurses tell me how much I have inspired them. Some have even shared that they decided to further their studies because of my encouragement and support.

Knowing that I have positively influenced both patients and colleagues makes me feel that I am contributing something meaningful to the profession. Seeing others grow and succeed because of the guidance I provided is one of my greatest achievements.”

How Do You Keep Motivated During Challenging Times?

“I keep motivated by thinking about the ethos of nursing and the reason for my being in the profession. Nursing has evolved; we are now recognised as professionals, with scientific research supporting the profession, as opposed to how we were previously told that nursing was a calling.

I am reminded daily that we are here for the patients, and we enter the profession knowing what the expectations are. Therefore, we must aspire to maintain those expectations and, where possible, even exceed them.”

What Advice Would You Give To Someone Considering Nursing As A Career?

“Give it your very best. Learn for knowledge and understanding, not simply to pass examinations. Commit yourself to lifelong learning and stay current through Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and ongoing education.

Most importantly, never forget the fundamentals of nursing. At its heart, nursing is about providing excellent patient care. It is compassion in action, caring for people when they need it most, and making a positive difference in their lives every day.

(Love in action.)”