South African Nursing Council

Regulations for the Course for the Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing for Registration as a Psychiatric Nurse

The Minister of Health, in terms of section 11 (1) of the Nursing Act, 1957 (Act 69 of 1957), as amended, has approved of the following regulations for the course for the diploma in psychiatric nursing for registration as a psychiatric nurse, made by the South African Nursing Council in substitution for the regulations published under Government Notice R. 8 of 2 January 1970, as amended by Notices R. 1383 of 13 August 1971 and R. 252 of 14 February 1975:

Conditions for the approval of schools

1. (1)    A school may be approved if-

(a)    the organisational structure and the facilities for the conduct of the teaching programme are satisfactory in the opinion of the Council;

(b)    the educational programme is satisfactory in the opinion of the Council;

(c)    a registered psychiatric nurse or psychiatric nurse (male), against whose name an additional qualification in nursing education and an additional qualification in nursing administration are registered, is designated to the Council as the person in charge of the school;

(d)    facilities for clinical practica are satisfactory in the opinion of the Council. A daily average of at least three hundred (300) patients shall be available. Of these patients – at least one hundred and eighty (180) shall be psychiatric patients and at least sixty (60) shall be mentally subnormal patients;

(e)    there is a psychiatrict community service which is satisfactory in the opinion of the Council;

(f)    facilities for practica in preventive and promotive health care are satisfactory in the opinion of the Council.

(2)    Notwithstanding the conditions prescribed in this regulation, the council may approve a school even if all the conditions cannot be complied with. Approval may be granted upon such conditions as the council may determine.

Admission to the course

2.    A candidate shall submit to the person in charge of the school-

(1)    at least a standard ten certificate, or an equivalent certificate; or

(2)    proof of current registration as a nurse or as a midwife. Registration shall be maintained throughout the course and until the results of the final examination are published, failing which the period of the course undergone from the date of removal from the register to the date of restoration, shall be forfeited; or

(3)    proof of current enrolment as a nurse; provided enrolment was obtained not more than five (5) years and six (6) months after the date of publication of these regulations. Enrolment shall be maintained throughout the course and until the results of the final examination are published, failing which the period of the course undergone from the date of removal from the roll to the date of restoration, shall be forfeited.

Registration, restoration, termination and completion of the course

3.    In terms of the regulations regarding the registers for students-

(a)    a student shall apply for registration or for restoration to the register;

(b)    the person in charge of a school shall notify the council if a student terminates the course for any reason before completion, including a transfer to another school;

(c)    the person in charge of a school shall notify the council when a student completes the course. With this notice a record of the theoretical and clinical instruction undergone by the student shall be lodged.

Duration of the course

4. (1)    Except as otherwise prescribed in regulation 7, the duration of the course shall be three (3) years. The leave of absence which may be granted in terms of paragraph (2) and the sick leave which may be granted in terms of paragraph (3)(a) are included in this period [not additional sick leave which may be granted in terms of paragraph (3)(b)].

(2)    A student may be granted leave of absence as follows at such times during the prescribed course as the person in charge of the school may decide upon:

(a)    If the prescribed course extends over less than one (1) year – nil;

(b)    if the prescribed course extends over at least one (1) year but over less than two (2) years – not more than thirty (30) days in all;

(c)    if the prescribed course extends over at least two (2) years but over less than three (3) years – not more than sixty (60) days in all;

(d)    if the prescribed course extends over at least three (3) years but over less than four (4) years – not more than ninety (90) days in all.

(3) (a)    A student may be granted sick leave calculated at the rate of twelve (12) days for each year of the course and a proportionate number of days in a lesser period. Sick leave may be granted at any time during the prescribed course.

(b)    Additional sick leave may be granted, but this sick leave shall be made up so that the prescribed period for the course is completed.

(4) (a)    The course shall be commenced de novo if a break occurs before the completion of six (6) months of the prescribed course, unless the Council determines otherwise.

(b)    No recognition of previous instruction for any one year of the course shall be granted if more than one break occurs in that year, unless the Council determines otherwise.

(c)    The period of any break shall be made up so that the prescribed period for the course is completed.

(d)    For the purpose of this regulation the expression “break” means-

(i)    any absence which is not authorised in this regulation;

(ii)    a transfer from one school to another.

The curriculum

(The curriculum must be read in conjunction with
the directive obtainable from the Council)

5.    Note.-

(i)    All the subjects of the curriculum shall be taught at an applied level throughout the course;

(ii)    the ethical foundations of nursing shall be emphasized throughout the course;

(iii)    the law governing the practice of nursing, including the regulations regarding the conduct of registered nurses which shall constitute improper or disgraceful conduct, shall be taught at an applied level throughout the course;

(iv)    medico-legal risks shall be emphasized throughout the course;

(v)    the social, psychological and physical relationships in disease shall be emphasized throughout the course;

(vi)    the preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative aspects shall be emphasized throughout the course;

(vii)    the science principles underlying nursing shall be emphasized throughout the course;

(viii)    Microbiology, Parasitology and Pharmacology shall be emphasized throughout the course.

(1)    First year:

• Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art I and Clinical Practica I.
• Ethos of Nursing.
• Introduction to Microbiology, Parasitology and Pharmacology.
• Anatomy and Applied Medical Biophysics.

(2)    Second year:

• Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art II and Clinical Practica II.
• Physiology and Applied Chemistry.
• Microbiology, Parasitology, Pathology and Pharmacology.

(3)    Third year:

• Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art III and Clinical Practica III.
• Social Sciences, Social Care and Mental Health Care.
• Preventive and Promotive Health Care and Family Planning and Practica.
  
  

Lectures, Clinical Instructions and Practica

6. (1)    Except as otherwise prescribed in regulation 7, a student shall throughout the course receive instruction both theoretically and clinically in the subjects prescribed in the curriculum in regulation 5.

(2) (a)    The clinical instruction and practica shall extend over at least three thousand one hundred and sixty (3 160) hours [at least five hundred (500) hours in the first year] which shall include at least (the periods need not be continuous)-

(i)    therapy for the mentally subnormal: Three hundred and twenty (320) hours;

(ii)    psychiatric therapy-

admission units and units for neuroses: Four hundred and eighty (480) hours;

long term and security units: Six hundred and forty (640) hours;

children and adolescent units: One hundred and sixty (160) hours;

geriatric units: One hundred and sixty (160) hours;

units for the physically ill: One hundred and sixty (160) hours;

(iii)    community and rehabilitative units and services: Four hundred and eighty (480) hours;

(iv)    occupational and recreational therapy; one hundred and sixty (160) hours;

(v)    general nursing in a general hospital-

surgical nursing: One hundred and sixty (160) hours;

casualty department: One hundred and sixty (160) hours;

(vi)    preventive and promotive health care and family planning: One hundred and sixty (160) hours.

(b)    The balance of the prescribed period for the course shall be allocated at the discretion of the person in charge of the school.

(3)    Students shall visit under supervision departments and social agencies concerned with-

(a)    promotive and preventive health;

(b)    the care of socially or physiatrically handicapped persons;

(c)    the social assistance and rehabilitation or after-care of psychiatric patients.

(4) (a)    A student shall receive clinical instruction, including practica in the wards and departments, in the care of patients at night for at least a twelfth (¹/₁₂) and for not more than a quarter (¹/₄) of the prescribed period for the course. The periods need not be continuous.

(b)    If the course extends over nine (9) months or one (1) year, the period shall be at least two (2) weeks and not more than one (1) month.

Exemptions

(See also regulations 6, 9 and 12)

7.    (1)    Students referred to in this regulation-

(a)    shall comply with the provisions of regulation 3;

(b)    shall not be granted exemption under more than one of the succeeding paragraphs.

(2)    A student who is a registered general nurse-

(a)    shall undergo a course of one (1) year’s duration;

(b)    shall undergo at least nine hundred and sixty (960) hours of clinical instruction and practica which shall include at least (the periods need not be continuous)-

(i)    therapy for the mentally subnormal: One hundred and sixty (160) hours;

(ii)    psychiatric therapy-

admission units and units for neuroses: Two hundred and forty (240) hours;

long term and security units: Two hundred and forty (240) hours;

children and adolescent units: Eighty (80) hours;

geriatric units: Eighty (80) hours;

(iii)    community and rehabilitative units and services: Two hundred and forty (240) hours;

(iv)    occupational and recreational therapy: Eighty (80) hours;

The balance of the prescribed period for the course shall be allocated at the discretion of the person in charge of the school;

(c)    may be admitted to the final examination if the student will complete at least ten (10) months of the course by the end of the month in which the examination is held. In calculating this period, cognizance shall be taken of any period which has to be made up, including additional sick leave which has to be made up;

(d)    shall lodge with the application for admission to the final examination certificates by the person in charge of the school-

(i)    that the student will comply with the provisions of regulation 6 by the date of the examination;

(ii)    setting out all the leave of absence, sick leave and additional sick leave granted to the student during the prescribed period for the course.

(iii)    that the student is, according to the nursing school’s system of continuous evaluation in respect of the clinical and theoretical aspects of psychiatric nursing, competent and suitable for admission to the examination.

(3)    A student who is a registered general nurse and who holds a university degree which included at least two (2) courses in sociology or at least two (2) courses in psychology-

(a)    shall undergo a course of nine (9) months duration;

(b)    shall undergo at least nine hundred and sixty (960) hours of clinical instruction and practica which shall include at least (the periods need not be continuous)-

(i)    therapy for the mentally subnormal: One hundred and sixty (160) hours;

(ii)    psychiatric therapy-

admission units and units for neuroses: Two hundred and forty (240) hours;

long term and security units: One hundred and sixty (160) hours;

children and adolescent units: Eighty (80) hours;

geriatric units; Eighty (80) hours;

(iii)    community and rehabilitative units and services: Two hundred and forty (240) hours;

(iv)    occupational and recreational therapy: Eighty (80) hours.

The balance of the prescribed period for the course shall be allocated at the discretion of the person in charge of the school;

(c)    may be admitted to the final examination if the student will complete at least seven (7) months of the course by the end of the month in which the examination is held. In calculating this period, cognizance shall be taken of any period which has to be made up, including additional sick leave which has to be made up;

(d)    shall lodge with the application for admission to the final examination certificates by the person in charge of the school-

(i)    that the student will comply with the provisions of regulation 6 by the date of the examination;

(ii)    setting out all the leave of absence, sick leave and additional sick leave granted to the student during the prescribed period for the course.

(iii)    that the student is, according to the nursing school’s system of continuous evaluation in respect of the clinical and theoretical aspects of psychiatric nursing, competent and suitable for admission to the examination.

(4)    A student referred to in subregulations (2) and (3) who has qualified for registration as a general nurse in terms of a qualification other than that referred to in Government Notice No. R. 879 of 2 May 1975 shall, notwithstanding the provisions of those subregulations, submit, together with the application for admission to the final examination, a certificate by the person in charge of the nursing scool that the student has obtained at least 50% in an examination conducted by the nursing school in the subjects-

(a)    Social Sciences, Social Care and Mental Health Care; and

(b)    Preventive and Promotive Health Care and Family Planning.

(5)    The Council may grant other exemptions.

(6) (a)    The final examination shall consist of two portions, namely-

(i)    a written portion of three papers of three hours each in the subject Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art; and

(ii)    a practical portion in Clinical Practica conducted by the nursing scool.

(b)    The examination referred to in paragraph (a) shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations relating to examinations of the council, and, for the purposes of applying those regulations, this course shall be called a basic course.

Examinations, examination marks, re-assessment

8. (1) The examination for the first year shall consist of:

(a)    Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art I and Clinical Practica I:

(i)    One (1) paper of three (3) hours duration;

(ii)    an oral examination in Clinical Practica conducted by the school. The school shall lodge the percentage marks obtained by the candidates with the Council not later than the end of the months February, June and October, as the case may be. The marks shall not be divulged to the candidates or any other person, only to the Council.

(b)    Anatomy: Two (2) papers of two (2) hours duration each.

(2)    The examination for the second year shall consist of:

(a)    Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art II and Clinical Practica II:

(i)    Two (2) papers of three (3) hours duration each;

(ii)    an oral examination in Clinical Practica conducted by the school. The school shall lodge the percentage marks obtained by the candidates with the Council not later than the end of the months January, May and September, as the case may be. The marks shall not be divulged to the candidates or any other person, only to the Council.

(b)    Physiology: Two (2) papers of two (2) hours duration each.

(3)    The final examination shall consist of:

(a)    Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art III and Clinical Practica III:

(i)    Three (3) papers of three (3) hours duration each;

(ii)    an oral examination in Clinical practica (including ward administration, clinical instruction and professional practice) conducted by the school. The school shall lodge the percentage marks obtained by the candidates with the Council not later than the end of the months February, June and October, as the case may be. The marks shall not be divulged to the candidates or any other person, only to the Council.

(b)    Social Sciences, Social Care and Mental Health Care: One (1) paper of three (3) hours duration.

(c)    Preventive and Promotive Health Care and Family Planning: One (1) paper of three (3) hours duration.

(4) (a)    To pass in a subject, a candidate shall obtain at least fifty (50) per cent of the aggregate marks. Of the aggregate marks for the examinations in the subject Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art and Clinical Practica, fifty (50) per cent in the first year, thirty-three and one-third (33¹/₃>) per cent in the second year and twenty-five (25) per cent in the final year shall be allocated to the oral examinations conducted by the schools.

(b)    To pass with distinction in a subject, a candidate shall obtain at least seventy-five (75) per cent of the aggregate marks.

(c)    To pass the course with honours, a candidate shall obtain at least seventy-five (75) per cent of the aggregate marks for the final examination; provided that the candidate shall obtain at least sixty-five (65) per cent of the aggregate marks in each of the subjects.

(d)    Candidates shall not be placed in order of merit and places shall not be disclosed, except in connection with a prize or award approved by the Council.

(5) (a)    A candidate who fails in a subject in an examination conducted by the Council may apply for re-assessment by lodging an application and a fee of fifteen rand (R15) within twenty-one (21) days of the date of the publication of the results.

(b)    The re-assessment shall be done by the moderator.

(c)    The marks allocated upon re-assessment shall be final and binding.

(d)    The fee shall not be refunded whatever the result of the re-assessment may be.

Admission to the examinations

(See also regulations 4, 6, 7, 10, 11 and 12)

9. (1)    A candidate for admission to any examination shall lodge an application in terms of regulation 12.

(2)    In respect of the examination for the first year the candidate shall lodge, with the application for admission, a certificate by the person in charge of the school that the candidate-

(a)    will complete at least ten (10) months of the first year of study by the end of the month in which the examination is held. In calculating this period, cognizance shall be taken of any period which has to be made up, including additional sick leave which has to be made up;

(b)    has obtained at least forty (40) per cent in an examination conducted by the school on the subject Applied Medical Biophysics;

(c)    has obtained at least forty (40) per cent in an examination conducted by the school on the subject Ethos of Nursing;

(d)    has been found satisfactory in a system of continual assessment on clinical and theoretical aspects of psychiatric nursing science and art.

(3)    In respect of the examination for the second year the candidate shall lodge, with the application for admission, a certificate by the person in charge of the school that the candidate-

(a)    will complete at least nine (9) months of the second year of study by the end of the month in which the examination takes place. In calculating this period, cognizance shall be taken of any period which has to be made up, including additional sick leave which has to be made up;

(b)    has obtained at least forty (40) per cent in an examination conducted by the school on the subject Applied Chemistry;

(c)    has been found satisfactory in a system of continual assessment on clinical and theoretical aspects of psychiatric nursing science and art.

(4)    In respect of the final examination the candidate shall lodge, with the application for admission-

(a)    a certificate by the person in charge of the school that the candidate-

(i)    will complete at least eleven (11) months of the third year of study by the end of the months in which the examination is held. In calculating this period, cognizance shall be taken of any period which has to be made up, including additional sick leave which has to be made up;

(ii)    will comply with the provisions of regulation 6 by the date of the examination;

(b)    a certificate by the person in charge of the school setting out all the leave of absence, sick leave and additional sick leave granted to the candidate during the prescribed period for the course.

(5)    The Council may inspect the examinations, tests and assessments conducted by schools.

(6)    A candidate who is debarred from admission to an examination conducted by the council only because of additional sick leave which has to be made up may be admitted to the examination on written application of the person in charge of the school, lodged not later than the prescribed closing date, and the additional sick leave made up after the examination; provided that the additional sick leave shall be made up not later than the end of the month following the month in which the examination is held.

(7)    A candidate who is absent from an examination in a subject or portion of a subject because of illness on the actual day of the examination, may be admitted to the next examination in the subject without the payment of a fee; provided a satisfactory medical certificate is lodged within twenty-one (21) days of the date of the examination in the subject or portion of the subject; provided further that if the candidate was absent from a portion of the examination in a subject, the whole examination in the subject shall be retaken. The candidate shall nevertheless submit an application for admission in terms of regulation 12.

Promotions

(See also regulation 11)

10.    (1)    In calculating the periods under paragraphs (2) and (3), cognizance shall be taken of any periods which have to be made up, including additional sick leave which has to be made up.

(2)    On completion of the first year, a student who has passed in the subject Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art I and Clinical Practica I on admission or re-admission, shall be admitted to the second year.

(3)    On completion of the second year, a student who has passed in all the subjects of the first and second years on admission or re-admission shall be admitted to the third year.

(4)    A student who cannot be promoted in any year of the course retains credit-

(a)    for the course and the examination in respect of each subject in which the student has passed;

(b)    for the course in respect of each subject in which the student has failed.

Re-admission to examinations

(See also regulations 10 and 12)

11. (1) (a)    Subject to the provisions of this regulation, a candidate who has failed in any subject may be admitted to a re-examination in such subject excluding a candidate who has failed for the first time in a subject with a percentage mark of less than 40% of the total marks for the subject concerned.

(b)    A candidate who qualifies for a re-examination must comply with the requirements prescribed by regulation 12 and must present himself for a re-examination within one year of the date of publication of the results of the previous examination in which he failed, failing which he must undergo such further training as the council decides.

(2)    A candidate who has failed twice in any subject, must undergo three months further continuous training at a nursing school in the subject concerned before, subject to subregulation (3), he is readmitted for the last time to the examination concerned.

(3)    A candidate who has failed in a subject for the third time, shall not be readmitted to an examination in such subject again, unless the council, on receipt of full motivation from the nursing school concerned, decides otherwise.

(4)    Except in the case of a candidate who, for the first time, applies for re-entry to an examination in a subject which he failed, the application for re-entry in terms of regulation 12 shall be accompanied by a certificate from the person in charge of the nursing school that the candidate has complied with all the requirements of subregulation (2).

(5)    A candidate shall lodge an application in terms of regulation 12.

Dates of examinations, applications for admission and re-admission and examination fees

12. (1)    The person in charge of a school shall notify the Council immediately, giving reasons, if a student becomes ineligible for admission to an examination subsequent to the lodging of an application in terms of this regulation.

(2) (a)    Examinations in respect of the first year shall be held during the months February, June and October and applications for admission or re-admission shall be lodged with the Council on or before 7 November, 7 March and 7 July, respectively.

(b)    Examinations in respect of the second year shall be held during the months January, May and September and applications for admission or re-admission shall be lodged with the Council on or before 7 October, 7 February and 7 June respectively.

(c)    The final examination shall be held during the months February, June and October and applications for admission or re-admission shall be lodged with the Council on or before 7 November, 7 March and 7 July, respectively.

(3)    Examination fees of fifteen rand (R15) per three hour paper and ten rand (R10) per two hour paper shall be paid to the council on application for admission or re-admission to the examination.

(4)    An application lodged not more than seven (7) days after the prescribed date, shall be accepted only on payment of an additional fee of fifteen rand (R15).

(5)    An application lodged more than seven (7) days after the prescribed date, shall not be accepted.

(6)    An application for admission or re-admission shall not be deemed to have been “lodged” in terms of this regulation, unless an application form, duly completed, together with the prescribed certificates, the examination fee and, where applicable, the additional fee referred to in paragraph (4), shall have reached the Council.

(7)    Unless the Council determines otherwise examination fees shall be forfeited to the Council if an entry is cancelled or if a candidate is absent from an examination or portion of an examination. This paragraph shall apply also to the fee referred to in paragraph (4).

Examination centre

13.    The examinations conducted by the Council shall be held at such places as the Council may determine.

Registration

14.    A candidate who has successfully completed the course shall be registered without the payment of a fee as a psychiatric nurse in terms of the regulations regarding registers; provided the notice and record prescribed in regulation 3(c) have been lodged.

Application of these regulations

15. (1)    These regulations shall come into force six months after the date of publication and shall apply to all students who commence or resume the course on or after that date; provided that a school may apply to commence training under these regulations on a date prior to the date of coming into force.

(2)    Government Notice R. 8 of 2 January 1970, as amended, remains in force in respect of students who are in training on the date of coming into force of these regulations and until they terminate or complete the course. These students may apply to continue the course under these regulations on such conditions as the council may determine; provided that students in training at a school which commences training in terms of paragraph (1) under these regulations on a date prior to the date of coming into force, may apply to transfer with effect from that date.

(3)    Subject to the provisions of regulation 16, these regulations shall apply to all courses in the Republic of South Africa leading to registration as a psychiatric nurse.

Transition clause

16. (1)    Notwithstanding the provisions of regulation 15(3) and subject to the provisions of subregulation (2), these regulations shall not derogate from the provisions of-

(a)    the regulations referred to in section 46(2) of the Nursing Act, 1978 (Act No. 6 of 1978), of the former Republic of Transkei and published under Government Notice No. R. 880 of 2 May 1975, as amended by Government Notices Nos. R. 2318 of 5 December 1975 and R. 1569 of 12 August 1977, hereinafter referred to as “the 1975 regulations”, which shall remain in force until 31 December 1999; and

(b)    the regulations published in terms of the Health and Related Professions Act, 1985 (Act No. 33 of 1985), of the former Republic of Bophuthatswana under Government Notice No. 59 of 23 March 1990, hereinafter referred to as “the 1990 regulations”, which shall remain in force until 31 December 1998.

(2)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1), no person shall be admitted to any course referred to in the 1975 or 1990 regulations, after 28 February 1997.