For Nurse Jonathan Vyfhuis, entering the medical field was a “weird one,” but he finds fulfillment in witnessing the positive health outcomes for those under his care.
Nurse Jonathan Vyfhuis during a recent medical outreach
But his journey to becoming a Registered Nurse is marked by an unexpected yet providential encounter, leading him to discover his true calling.
FORMATIVE YEARS AND EDUCATIONAL PURSUITS
A native of Durban Backlands in Georgetown, Jonathan’s educational journey began at Enterprise Nursery and continued through Stella Maris Primary and East Ruimveldt Secondary Schools.
He secured seven passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.
On the verge of applying to the Bertram Collins College of Public Service, fate intervened, which saw this now 23-year-old putting in an application to the Georgetown School of Nursing.
If there’s one thing I can always say, God led me to this profession. Sometimes, you, as a person, can’t seem to figure out what exactly you want to do, and all of a sudden, you get a feeling to do something, an assertive feeling. I listened, and here I am, seven years later, a Registered Nurse helping to make people’s lives better in whatever way I can.
A PASSION FOR NURSING
Jonathan’s passion for nursing traces back to the age of 13, when he selflessly cared for his granddad and aunt battling lung cancer.
Nurse Jonathan Vyfhuis
This early experience laid the foundation for his commitment to putting others’ needs before his own.
Helping them daily became a part of my daily routine until they passed peacefully. Putting their needs in front of mine was never a big deal, even though I was one of the best cricketers and always wanted to be outside. Ensuring they were tidied, fed, and made comfortable made me feel happy before I attempted to do anything else. Getting into the medical field was just a way for me to help people other than my family members get better and feel safe in the hospital.
A Registered Nurse for three years, this avid cricket player has served several institutions, such as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) New Hope Dialysis Centre, and is presently at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH).
Seeing your patients get better is one of the greatest feelings ever. It makes you feel like you would done something right and, not only that, but also hearing them say, ‘Nursey, thank you for being so patient and kind to me.’ My usual response would be, ‘It’s okay, don’t mention it,’ but I started to realise that some patients really do appreciate every effort you make to help them in getting better, and that brings me a sense of peace in my heart, to know that my efforts are being appreciated.
In the medical field, some days are great, and some days are bad; that’s how all jobs go. On the bad days, it’s important to remember why you chose the profession and that the patient comes first. These people are frustrated and stressed and may tell you all sorts of stuff. That’s when you, as a professional, would take the time to just let them be and try to empathise, and things will work themselves out eventually as the patient starts to get better.
A SELFLESS PERSON VOLUNTEERING
Considers himself as a “selfless person,” this 23-year-old began volunteering with the Specialist Medical Outreach Team (SMOT) – a group of medical professionals providing free outreach services.
As I mentioned earlier, ensuring that people’s needs are met and ensuring they are happy brings me joy. Joining the outreach team has opened my eyes to many new things, and it really changed my perspective on life. Not everyone has it easy, and sometimes, all it takes is a bit of patience and a listening ear to help someone through a tough time.
Going to various areas and being able to reach out and help persons who can’t make it to the hospital due to circumstances brings out a whole new me. It causes you to want to give more. Some people may think that volunteering is a waste of time, especially when you’re not benefiting, but volunteering goes beyond looking to see what you get in turn. If your aim is to get something in return after catering to the public, just don’t volunteer. Volunteering is an act of the heart.
WORDS OF WISDOM
In offering advice to aspiring nurses, Jonathan emphasises the importance of coming into the profession with a genuine desire to help others.
Nurse Vyfhuis at his graduation from the Guyana Learning Institute
He quotes Maya Angelou, noting that nurses have the unique opportunity to heal not just their patients’ bodies but also their minds, souls, and hearts.
Don’t come here for the money. If you come here for the money, you’ll neglect the patients. This profession is not one that is a money-making scheme. Patience becomes your priority, and you as a person fall down the pecking order when you’re at work.
As a nurse, I know what it is like to feel every emotion a patient may feel. You’re there with them through thick and thin on the wards. You’re the person that they relay the most information to because they are afraid to tell the doctors. You become like a family member to them because you’re spending more time with them than they have ever spent with their actual family.
LOOKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
Armed with a Diploma in Nursing and a recently earned Occupational Safety and Health certificate from the Guyana Learning Institute, Nurse Vyfhuis is gearing up for the future.
I plan on being a nurse and working as an Occupational Safety and Health Officer in the near future to create environments that are safe and comfortable for my comrades to work.
But his journey does not end there. With aspirations to start his own business and collaborate with non-governmental organizations (NGOs), he envisions a future where he continues to positively impact people’s lives.
