Final-year nursing student reflects on life-saving moments and lessons from the ward

By Frieda Jona

Helvi Amakali

Helvi Amakali, a final-year nursing student at Welwitchia University (WU), told Campus Connect (CC) that her journey through clinical placements has been one of growth, resilience and purpose. From arriving with little experience and confidence to performing life-saving procedures, Amakali says she has come to understand the true weight of her profession.

“I started with no experience and little to no confidence, but through the years, I learned a lot and became stronger,” she said. One of her proudest moments came when she successfully resuscitated a patient. “That moment will always stay with me, not because of the recognition I received, but because I saw the real impact of my work on someone’s life.”

Amakali completed her training at Swakopmund District Hospital and other facilities across the country. She said the experience taught her that healthcare is not just about medication and procedures, but about compassion, patience and teamwork.

“I saw how important teamwork is and how every small action can make a difference for patients,” she said. “Experiencing emergencies, resource shortages and busy days showed me how healthcare workers stay calm, think quickly and support each other.”

She said her confidence grew as she became more skilled in clinical tasks and patient care. The fast-paced nature of the work helped her develop resilience and adaptability, which she believes are essential traits for any nurse.

Recognition for her efforts, she said, was both humbling and motivating. “It reminded me that integrity and putting patient safety first is always important. It also inspired me to keep learning, improve my skills and work toward a future in emergency or critical care.”

Amakali encouraged fellow nursing students to embrace the challenges of the profession. “There will be days when you’ll feel overwhelmed, tired or unsure of yourself. But those are the moments that shape you,” she said. “Don’t see challenges as failures, see them as lessons that make you stronger.”

She said every long shift, every tear and every difficult patient teaches something valuable. “One day, you’ll look back and realise that the same challenges that once scared you became the milestones that defined your success.”

Amakali is expected to graduate later this year and hopes to specialise in emergency or critical care nursing.