nursing as a profession
nursing as a profession
All healthcare systems around the world rely heavily on nurses. They improve people’s quality of life by ensuring that individuals, families, and communities achieve optimal health.
As a result, working as a nurse can be extremely satisfying and rewarding.
Read on to learn about the requirements and qualifications required to become a nurse in South Africa if you have just finished school and want to learn how to become a nurse there.
There are three main types of nurses in South Africa:
- Registered Nurses or Nursing Sisters
In addition to carrying out the usual duties of a nurse, they are in charge of supervising registered nurses and registered auxiliary nurses.
- Enrolled Nurses
They perform limited nursing care.
- Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries
They take general care of patients and carry out fundamental procedures.
The nursing industry in South Africa is expanding, as shown by the statistics provided by the South African Nursing Council. Fast.
Over 60.000 new registered nurses have been registered in South Africa since 2009, representing a 29% increase across all three categories in the past decade.
The number of registered nurses has gone up by 32%, while the number of enrolled nurses and enrolled nursing auxiliaries has gone up by 47% and 9%, respectively.
You will probably always have a job as a nurse. According to the 2017 South African Health Review, nurses make up the majority of South African healthcare professionals.
Don’t worry if you don’t like the idea of working in a hospital; you still have options. You can work as a nurse in a variety of settings, including schools, universities, outpatient clinics and pharmacies, government facilities, nursing homes, and research labs.
Nursing can also be a lucrative career, paying between R20.000 and R29,000.
Do you begin to see the appeal? Find out how to get there by reading on.
In South Africa, what are the minimum requirements for a nursing degree?
- Math, English, a First/Home Language, Life Orientation, and Life Science must all be passed by students in order to graduate.
Lastly, the student must register with the South African Nursing Council as a nurse, just like the Diploma enrollment requirements.
What Qualifications Do I Need to Become a Nurse?
There are two steps you need to take to become a certified nurse:
In South Africa, both public and private colleges offer the same degrees and diplomas. Simply select a school that meets your needs to complete your qualification.
You can accomplish one of the following in order to become a nurse:
- a four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing (BCur– Bachelor of Nursing Science, Education & Administration)
- a three-year diploma
- a one-year higher certificate in auxiliary nursing
- one-year postgraduate advanced diploma in nursing and midwifery on top of your degree or diploma.
You must register with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) after earning your qualification.
You have the option of finishing your education at a private nursing college or at a public tertiary institution. The diplomas and degrees offered by these private colleges, such as Mediclinic, Netcare Education, and Life College, are comparable to those provided by technological universities.
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science (BCur) – 4 years
Math, English, a First/Home Language, Life Orientation, and Life Science must all be passed by students in order to graduate.
Lastly, the student must register with the South African Nursing Council as a nurse, just like the Diploma enrollment requirements.
The majority of public universities in South Africa offer a four-year bachelor’s degree program in nursing, including:
- UCT
- Wits
- Stellies (only postgrad)
- UP (Tuks)
- UWC
- NWU
- UKZN
- UNISA
There is a theoretical and a mandatory practical clinical training component to the degree. You are eligible to register with the SANC as a professional nurse and midwife once you have completed a BCur (or equivalent).
Bachelor’s Degree (BCur) Entry Requirements
- English (50-59%)
- First additional or home language (50-59%)
- Life Sciences (50-59%)
- Maths Literacy (50-59%)
- Life Orientation (50-59%)
Check your chosen institution’s entry requirements carefully.
What does the course look like?
The BCur usually prepares students to work in four specific fields:
- general nursing (working in hospitals and medical practices)
- community nursing
- psychiatric nursing
- midwifery (caring for mothers and babies)
A practical component will be included in your course. When you become a nurse, the kind of practical work you will need to be able to do will be taught to you. You will learn the theory behind what it means to be a nurse in the theoretical portion. To acquire the knowledge necessary to be a competent and successful healthcare professional, you will study pharmacology, psychological and social sciences, biological and natural sciences, and medical and biological and natural sciences.
Diploma in Nursing – 3 years
Diploma Entry Requirements
To enroll in this course, you must possess a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification at exit levels 3 or 4, depending on the institution. However, for the BCur, it is not as important as it is for you to have taken math or physical science courses. You’ll also require:
- English (50-59%)
- First additional or home language (50-59%)
- Four other subjects (50-59%)
- Life Orientation (50-59%)
What does the course look like?
- You will study subjects that are comparable to those covered in the BCur degree during this course. Because the course is shorter, you will have to complete less work in depth. You will learn how to diagnose and treat minor illnesses, provide reproductive health care, and apply your knowledge in the nursing practice.
- Explore all of South Africa’s educational establishments to learn everything you need to know about their courses, application requirements, and residence options.
Higher Certificate in Auxillary Nursing – 1 year
- This one-year certification aims to give you the skills you need to work under the supervision of a nurse with a national diploma or degree to provide basic nursing care to people.
- You will be eligible to register as an enrolled nursing auxiliary once you have completed your higher certificate.
Higher Certificate Entry Requirements
To be eligible to take this course, you will need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification at exit level 3 or 4, depending on the institution. However, it is not as important as it is for the BCur that you have taken mathematics, physical sciences, or life sciences. You’ll also require:
Click here for South African Nursing Colleges and Schools Application 2023-2024
RELATED LINKS
Nursing Online Application links