Ezeliter
Wamaji Magambo, a professional nurse in Nairobi.To many people, nurses are the calm in the storm — steady, composed
and always on the move. As we sit at the waiting bay, we see them in uniform, their quick steps, the gentle reassurances, but rarely do we see the emotional weight
they carry.
Ezeliter Magambo, a registered nurse, explains the quiet courage and the journey that defines true
nursing.
She first takes us through her inspiration and the journey
to becoming a nurse. She says, “My inspiration to become a nurse began with my
older brother, who is a doctor. I admired him deeply, especially during holidays
when he would return home, and people from our village would come to seek
medical advice. Seeing the respect he earned and the way he used his knowledge
to help others made a strong impression on me at a young age.”
She grew up in a rural area (Muhuru Bay) where
healthcare access was limited, and witnessed women giving birth at
home without skilled care. Some lost their lives due to preventable
complications such as sepsis and haemorrhage.
Ezeliter says her journey has been one of continuous learning and growth. “Ultimately, nursing has
taught me empathy, resilience and the importance of advocacy,” she says. “One
day I hope to open a health centre, well-equipped in my community, where people
can access quality care."
She continues: “One moment that reaffirmed my decision to become a nurse happened while I was working in
the emergency department. A young woman was brought in with postpartum
haemorrhage. She had given birth at home and arrived in critical condition. We
had to act fast. It was an incredibly tense moment, but our team worked together
seamlessly, and thankfully, she made it. Such an intense moment makes me feel so
discouraged, especially when there’s a poor outcome after doing all
the right things.”
Ezeliter admits that nurses face a lot of work-related challenges.
“Poor leadership in the nursing department, everyone at the
top is just busy fighting for individual benefits, forgetting those he/she
represent," she laments.
Workload is another challenge. She says that many people fear talking about the workload because no one will listen to them, and for
fear risking their jobs. She explains: “In some facilities, it is one nurse to three to five patients, and in other places, one nurse can be taking care of up to eight patients
for 12 hours, and you are not allowed to complain.”
Pay disparity is common, and remuneration in private facilities depends on who hired you, as opposed to the
years of experience.
“You find someone who is just direct from school is earning Sh70,000 while you, with your five years of experience and all the qualifications, are earning Sh35,000 working in the same department. You are even assigned the most
challenging situations because you are more qualified/experienced. But what do
you do other than closing your ears and continuing with your work because you
have no alternative.”
She has learnt perseverance, handling critical moments with both clinical aspects and human compassion.
“The situation is kind of weird and so scary because you are
leaving an acute room after unsuccessful resuscitation, and you are expected to
move to the next patient with a smile on your face, and you have to behave like
nothing has just happened. It is quite confusing to us nurses.”
Ezeliter says building trust with patients is important because it makes it easier for patients to open up to you while on duty.
She says: “I manage to build trust with the patients I
handle by listening actively, showing empathy and respecting each patient’s
dignity and privacy. I explain procedures clearly, involve them in decisions
and offer reassurance. I have come to realise that consistent and compassionate
care helps patients feel safe and valued, which strengthens my connection, hence
improving the patient's overall experience and recovery.”
She understands people have varying perceptions about nursing, but she thinks most people are wrong about nurses.
"Many people think nursing is just following doctors’ orders, but it involves critical decision-making, emotional support, and constant patient advocacy. People overlook the physical and mental toll it takes. I wish the public understood that nurses are highly skilled professionals who play a central role in patient recovery and healthcare outcomes."
Ezeliter advises those considering nursing to understand that it is more than a job—it’s a calling.
"It’s challenging, but
incredibly rewarding. If you are compassionate, resilient and committed to
making a real difference in people’s lives, then nursing will give you purpose,
pride and lifelong fulfilment in the field."
