What is the South African Nursing Council?

• In the Republic of South Africa, it is the responsibility of the South African Nursing Council to establish and uphold standards for nursing education and practice. It was established as an independent, financially self-supporting statutory body by the Nursing Act of 1944 (Act No. 45 of 1944) and operates under the Nursing Act of 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005).

Setting and Monitoring of Standards

• The Nursing Council is tasked with establishing, enhancing, and controlling the conditions, standards, and quality of nursing education and training in accordance with Section 3 of the Nursing Act of 2005.
• The administration of nursing examinations, the awarding of diplomas and certificates, the monitoring of assessments conducted by accredited institutions, and the accreditation and inspection of nursing education institutions are all covered by Section 4 of the Nursing Act.
• The Nursing Act of 2005, Section 58(1)(f), permits the establishment of regulations (education and training regulations) defining the requirements and qualifications necessary for a person to become registered as a nursing practitioner.

The South African Nursing Council monitors nursing standards in the following ways:

• allowing nurse practitioners to practice as nurses by registering them;accreditation of brand-new nursing education programs and institutions;

  inspection of clinical facilities and nursing education institutions;

  constantly evaluating nursing education and training to meet South Africa’s requirements; and advising and directing the nursing profession regarding the implementation of the policies governing nursing education and training.

South African Nursing Council Objectives

The South African Nursing Council’s goals are to:

• serve and protect the public in matters pertaining to nursing services in particular and health services in general;
  fulfill its duties in accordance with the Minister’s national health policy and in the public’s best interests;
  encourage the Republic’s residents to receive nursing care that adheres to universal standards and values;
  within the scope of this Act and any other applicable laws, establish, improve, and control nursing education and training conditions, standards, and quality;
  keep practitioners’ standards of professional conduct and practice within the scope of any applicable law;
  ensure that all stakeholders are kept informed about nursing standards, particularly those pertaining to professional conduct and education as well as practice, both within and outside the Republic;
  advise the Minister regarding nursing-related amendments or adaptations to this Act;
  be open and accountable to the public when it comes to achieving its goals and carrying out its duties;
  uphold and uphold nursing’s professional and ethical standards; and help the Council achieve its strategic goals.