30 June 2010

Nursing Education Institutions: Requirements for Submitting Learner Forms to South African Nursing Council

Attached, please find a copy of the document:

NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: REQUIREMENTS FOR PROCESSING OF LEARNERS WHO ARE REGISTERED IN TERMS OF THE NURSING ACT, 2005

South African Nursing Council (SANC) is acutely aware that there is a need to improve service delivery with regard to processing of learners who are / must be registered in terms of the Nursing Act, 2005. With this objective in mind, SANC has prepared the abovementioned document – in order to standardize the manner in which Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) communicate with SANC on these matters and vice versa.

The document covers all aspects of the learner’s education and training – from initial registration as a learner right through to registration of the eventual qualification at the end of the course.

NB:    Under the Nursing Act, 2005, all nursing learners are to be registered with SANC. Consequently, the word enrolled and other previously used words such as roll, enrolment, student, pupil, etc. will not be used anywhere else in this circular or in the abovementioned document.

While SANC appreciates that, for many institutions these requirements might mean making adjustments to standard operating procedures, the benefit to be derived will make the effort well worthwhile. SANC is sure that we can rely on the full cooperation of all NEIs in implementing these requirements. A speedy implementation of the requirements will benefit both the NEIs and the learners.

Educators and administrators are required to implement the requirements set out in the document in order to facilitate the efficient and effective processing of learner submissions and related matters. If you experience any difficulties or problems, please do not hesitate to call SANC for assistance on the numbers given below.

Please direct any queries regarding this circular or the requirements document to:

Additional copies of the document can be requested from SANC or they can be printed from the SANC website publications page: 

Download a copy of the guidelines – for processing of learners  (277kb)

(Signed)
Ms S A Mchunu
Acting Registrar
South African Nursing Council

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

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30 June 2010

Update on the Status of Offering of Legacy Nursing Qualifications and Implementation of the New Nursing Qualifications Registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

1. PURPOSE OF THE CIRCULAR

The purpose of this circular is to give an update to Nursing Education Institutions, National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, and other nursing stakeholders on the status of the legacy nursing qualifications that are recorded on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and on the implementation of the NQF-registered (new) nursing qualifications.

2. PHASING OUT OF THE LEGACY NURSING QUALIFICATIONS

In a circular dated 26 March 2009 (Circular 3 of 2009), the South African Nursing Council communicated the expiry date for registration of students for the legacy nursing qualifications as 30 June 2010. Following the promulgation of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008) and its implications on the implementation of the NQF-registered nursing qualifications it became necessary to review this date with South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The new date for final intake of students for the legacy nursing qualifications is 30 June 2012.

3. PROMULGATION OF THE NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK Act, 2008

The promulgation on 17 February 2009 of the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008 (Act No. 67 of 2008) brought about changes, including the introduction of a 10-level NQF, among others. Most of the NQF-registered nursing qualifications are not in line with this new framework in terms of credit value and NQF levels. This has made it imperative that the nursing qualifications be aligned to the new National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

4. NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Nursing Education Institutions that are compliant with their approval/accreditation prescripts are granted provisional accreditation until the end of the teach-out period of the last intake for each of the legacy qualifications for which they are accredited.

The teach-out period for a programme is the duration of the programme plus two extra years. Withdrawal of programme accreditation will therefore be in accordance with the teach-out period of each provisionally accredited programme. Nursing Education Institutions will submit confirmation of such cessation of legacy programmes by means of an annual submission using a format that will be provided by South African Nursing Council.

5. INTERIM MANAGEMENT OF APPLICATIONS BEFORE JUNE 2012

In order to ensure that nursing education and training continues uninterrupted, the following measures have been agreed to by South African Nursing Council for implementation.

5.1 Applications for Accreditation of New Institutions as Nursing Education Institutions

Such applications will be considered only if they are linked to or supported by the Provincial Department of Health for training of categories where there is an identified shortage. Suitable evidence must be provided from the health authorities to support the application. This will ensure that nursing education and training is in line with the needs of the health care delivery system of the country and translates into suitable employment for qualified nurses.

5.2 Applications for accreditation of new programmes by accredited Nursing Education Institutions

The condition outlined in 5.1 above is applicable for new programmes.

Please note that accreditation for the current NQF-registered qualifications will not be considered as they are subject to alignment to the new NQF and HEQF.

5.3 Applications to reinstate inactive/dormant Nursing Education Institutions and programmes

This refers to institutions that have not had any intake of students in the past five years and to programmes that have not been offered in the past five years. The conditions outlined in 5.1 and 5.2 above are applicable.

5.4 Application for new campuses

Conditions applicable to new Nursing Education Institutions will apply here. Where there is support for such new campuses, the following must be observed:

	The main campus must be compliant with accreditation prescripts.
	The new campus may apply to offer programmes already accredited for the main campus.
	No new programme will be accredited unless supported by the Provincial Department of Health for training of categories in accordance with identified needs as reflected in 5.1 above.

5.5 Application for accreditation of new clinical facilities or increase of student numbers

These will be considered in line with requirements to be complied with for such applications.

6. STATUS OF THE NQF-REGISTERED NURSING QUALIFICATIONS

Due to the legislative imperatives referred to in point 2 of this circular, and the need to align the nursing qualifications with the new 10-level National Qualifications Framework (NQF), South African Nursing Council intends inviting expertise from the various nursing constituencies to participate in this project. It is envisaged that South African Nursing Council will be in a position to submit the re-aligned qualifications to South African Qualifications Authority for registration towards the end of 2010. 

7. STATUS OF REGULATIONS FOR ACCREDITATION OF INSTITUTIONS AS NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS AND FOR BASIC NURSING COURSES

Draft regulations for the accreditation of institutions as Nursing Education Institutions as well as regulations relating to minimum requirements for basic nursing courses, will be finalized concurrently with the alignment of the qualifications.

8. STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION

Stakeholders will be kept updated throughout the process via updates on the South African Nursing Council website, written communication and stakeholder meetings. Workshops will be held provincially involving Nursing Education Institutions and stakeholders once the alignment of the qualifications is finalized.

It is hoped that this update will assist Nursing Education Institutions and other relevant stakeholders with their own planning

Enquiries on the content of this circular may be directed to:

1. Manager: Accreditation
   Tel 012 420-1035
   E-mail [email protected]
     
2. Senior Manager: Provider Affairs (Education & Training)
   Tel 012 420-1022
   E-mail [email protected]
    

Sincerely

Signed
Ms. S A Mchunu
Acting Registrar
South African Nursing Council

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

Disclaimer

30 June 2010

1. ANNUAL AND RESTORATION FEES FOR 2011
2. DEBIT AND CREDIT CARD FACILITIES
3. REQUIREMENTS WHEN PAYING BY CHEQUE

PURPOSE OF CIRCULAR

The purpose of this circular is to:

	Inform nurses of the increased Annual Fees due for the calendar year 2011;
	Inform nurses of the increased Restoration Fees applicable from 1 January 2011; and
	Inform users of services provided by South African Nursing Council about the methods available and the requirements for paying for services at the Council offices.

1. ANNUAL AND RESTORATION FEES FOR 2011

Attached, please find a copy of Government Notice No. R. 578 of 30 June 2010 giving details of the fee increases.

The annual fees for the calendar year 2011 for the different categories of practitioners are given in the following table.

Notes:

1. The annual fees for 2011 must be paid by 31 December 2010.
2. Please pay as soon as possible to avoid the last minute rush.
3. The amounts in the table above all include 14% VAT.

The restoration fees for the different categories applicable from 1 January 2011 are shown in the following table.

Notes:

1. The increased fees apply to restorations that are EFFECTIVE from a date after 31 December 2010 – no matter when the fee is paid. In other words, if you meet all the requirements for restoration after 31 December 2010 OR if you request restoration with effect from a date after 31 December 2010.
2. The reduced restoration fee will only apply if your name was removed from the register at your own request – this must be confirmed with the Council before paying the reduced amount.
3. The amounts in the table above all include 14% VAT.

2. DEBIT AND CREDIT CARD FACILITIES

South African Nursing Council now offers its clients debit and credit card facilities at its offices for payment of fees and for purchasing of distinguishing devices and printed matter.

The benefits to clients making use of debit or credit card payment facilities at the Council offices are:

	Clients using the facilities when they have to make payments and/or purchase goods will not have to carry large amounts of cash with them
	The incidence of cases where clients do not have sufficient cash to cover the required fees or the cost of their purchases will be reduced with a corresponding decrease in the inconvenience that this causes the clients.

3. REQUIREMENTS WHEN PAYING BY CHEQUE

South African Nursing Council is receiving an ever increasing number of dishonoured or fraudulent cheques from clients. Therefore, in future, Council will require all cheques paid in at the Council offices or sent through the post to be BANK GUARANTEED. Cheques which are not bank guaranteed will in future not be accepted for payment to the Council. Clients are encouraged to make use of the debit/credit card facilities mentioned in 2 above for payment of Council fees and/or services.

Signed
Ms S A Mchunu
Acting Registrar
South African Nursing Council

© 2004 - 2020 South African Nursing Council (Under the provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005)

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