Meet Sister Myra Burton
There are certain professions in life that are seen as more than being a mere job. To the people who choose such paths in life, their purpose is a calling, an opportunity to serve, help, and enrich the lives of others.
Myra Burton, one of eight sisters on the first floor of Le Domaine Care, is one such person, a rare breed in today’s working world. The call of what she loves is the reason why she continues to provide assistance, a voice, care, and kindness to the folks she enjoys working with.
“I have been a sister most of my life, the journey starting when I was 17 but it hasn’t been something I have done my whole life,” she said. “A turning point came when I was about 28 and I did night duty in a geriatric unit and that sparked a passion which came to the fore in later years.”
“I thought, it’s not the end of the world, and I returned to my passion for geriatrics. I was never a theatre sister and had a calling for working with the elderly. I think from my training, I realised how much these people need and it’s always been something I wanted to do.”
However, Myra left nursing to join her husband in the business world, doing the books and learning accountancy which she put to good use working at the South African National Blood Service, the Blood Bank, in Pinetown.
“I thought, it’s not the end of the world, and I returned to my passion for geriatrics. I was never a theatre sister and had a calling for working with the elderly. I think from my training, I realised how much these people need and it’s always been something I wanted to do,” she said.
In November this year, Myra will have been at Le Domaine Care for seven years. It’s obviously work she loves, but what does a normal working day entail and what keeps her motivated in what can be a difficult working environment at times?
“I live in Waterfall and my day starts at 4.30am. I arrive at Le Domaine at 5.30am although the day only officially starts at 6am. I arrive early so the sister on night duty can hand over to me for the day shift,” said Myra.
By 6am Myra has a complete overview and she is then able to brief and task the carers, giving them their areas of concern and responsibility. Le Domaine Care have 64 rooms and can accommodate up to 88 residents. Once Myra has the carers organised, she visits each resident personally, taking note of anything highlighted by the night sister.
“Then I assist the carers with whatever they require and as a team, we are always learning from each other,” said Myra. “Geriatrics is the fastest growing part of medicine today and we have to be pro-active. People are getting older, the workforce is getting older and we still, where possible, attend courses to keep us updated and at the top of our game. The Internet is also a huge advantage with answers to virtually everything.”
Breakfast is taken on the go and so the day unfolds. Besides ensuring residents take their correct medication and get their daily exercise, a large part of Myra’s day is just being a companion to the residents. “All they want is some company, someone to talk with, someone to listen and most important, someone to make them feel loved,” she said. “It’s all about care. Pure and simple.”
Le Domaine Care is blessed to have Myra looking after the frail care residents and when she puts her head on her pillow every night, she can truly reflect on a full day’s work, a job well done and a satisfied soul.
There is a brief break for lunch and then the show goes on. “It’s hard work and the day flies by. Someone did some investigating as to how much we move around in a working day and it was estimated we walk about eight kilometres,” said Myra. “The day ends as such at 6pm and I don’t work night shift. It’s a few hours of rest at home then the cycle starts again.”
Motivation is a key ingredient in Myra’s working life. Like anyone, regardless of their profession, she has days when getting up is a little more tedious, mainly through being tired. “I never approach a day with negative thoughts. It’s about being positive, knowing this is my calling, this is my choice and it’s what I want to do,” she said. “In this line of work especially, too many negative and unhealthy thoughts will quickly wear you down and there is always good to see and find in whatever you do.”
Myra acknowledges that at her age, she has much to be thankful for and is blessed that she is still working. “My two children have been huge motivators, always believing I am capable of anything. When I started at the blood bank, and while I thought I was a bit down the road, they said that I was only getting started,” she said.
The reward for Myra is what counts. “Some of the residents have few visitors and to fill that void and add warmth and meaning to their day is more than satisfying,” she said. “Meeting the families of the residents is also special and its motivation to keep going and know there are decent people in the world.”
Le Domaine Care is blessed to have Myra looking after the frail care residents and when she puts her head on her pillow every night, she can truly reflect on a full day’s work, a job well done and a satisfied soul.