South African Nursing Council

Regulations Relating to the Course Leading to Enrolment as a Nurse

The Minister of National Health and Welfare has, on the recommendation of the South African Nursing Council, in terms of section 45 (1) of the Nursing Act, 1978 (Act No. 50 of 1978), made the regulations set out in the Schedule hereto.

SCHEDULE

Definitions

1.    In these regulations “the Act” means the Nursing Act, 1978 (Act No. 50 of 1978), and any expression to which a meaning has been assigned in the Act shall bear such meaning and, unless the context otherwise indicates-

“academic year” means a period of at least 44 weeks in any calendar year;

“course” means a programme of education and training approved by the council which is offered by an approved nursing school referred to in regulation 3 and which leads to the obtaining of a qualification which confers on the holder thereof the right to enrolment as a nurse in terms of section 16 of the Act;

“General Nursing Science and Art I” and “General Nursing Science and Art II” means the subjects prescribed for the first and the second year, respectively, in terms of the regulations published under Government Notices Nos. R. 879 of 2 May 1975, as amended, R. 881 of 2 May 1975, as amended, or R. 882 of 2 May 1975, as amended or in regulations published in terms of the Nursing Act, 1984 (Act No. 13 of 1984) (Ciskei), under Government Notice No. 36 of 1987, as amended;

“portion” means a part of an examination for which a result is published in the examination results, and which is taken as a whole;

“practical portion” means a portion consisting of a practical examination which may include an oral examination and also the marks obtained in a system of continuous assessment;

“Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art I” and “Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art II” means the subjects prescribed for the first year and second year, respectively, in terms of the regulations published under Government Notice No. R. 880 of 1 May 1975, as amended;

“study direction” means education and training in one of the following directions:

(a)    General nursing care;

(b)    nursing care of the aged;

(c)    nursing care of mentally retarded persons;

(d)    community nursing care;

(e)    psychiatric nursing care;

“written portion” means a portion consisting of one or more written papers.

Conditions for enrolment as a nurse

2. (1)    A person shall be enrolled as a nurse in terms of section 16 of the Act if-

(a)    he has received the education and training referred to in these regulations at an approved nursing school;

(b)    he was enrolled as a pupil nurse for the duration of the course referred to in these regulations;

(c)    he has attained the course objectives referred to in regulation 6;

(d)    he has passed the examinations referred to in regulation 8 or has been exempted therefrom in terms of regulation 7;

(e)    the nursing school where the course was followed has submitted to the council a satisfactory record of his theoretical and clinical training.

(2)    A candidate who qualifies for exemption in terms of regulation 7(1) shall be enrolled as a nurse only if the record and certificate referred to in regulation 7(1)(d) have been submitted to the council together with the prescribed fee.

Conditions for the approval of a nursing school

3. (1)    A nursing school shall apply to the council to offer a course referred to in these regulations.

(2)    An application referred to in subregulation (1) shall be approved by the council if-

(a)    all required information has been furnished by the nursing school;

(b)    the organisational structure and the facilities for presenting the course are satisfactory in the opinion of the council;

(c)    the curriculum, including the system of continuous assessment in respect of theory and clinical practica, is satisfactory in the opinion of the council;

(d)    facilities for clinical practica are satisfactory in the opinion of the council;

(e)    the person in charge of the nursing school is a registered nurse against whose name an additional qualification in nursing education has been registered in terms of section 22 of the Act;

(f)    at least one registered nurse is on duty at all times at the institution where the practical training is presented;

(g)    all members of the nursing staff who take part in the clinical training are registered or enrolled nurses.

(3)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (2), the council may approve a nursing school upon conditions that substantially correspond with the requirements of that subregulation.

Admission to the course

4. (1)    A candidate shall apply to the person in charge of a nursing school for admission to the course referred to in these regulations.

(2)    Such application shall be accompanied by proof that the candidate has passed at least an academic standard eight or has an equivalent educational qualification.

(3) (a)    In the case of a candidate who qualifies for exemption in terms of regulation 7(3) or (4), such application shall be accompanied by proof of current enrolment as a nursing auxiliary.

(b) The enrolment referred to in paragraph (a) shall be maintained for the duration of the course up to and including the date of publication of the results of the final examination, failing which, the duration of the course shall be extended by a period equal to the period for which such enrolment was not maintained.

Duration of the course

5.    The duration of the course shall be two academic years.

The curriculum

6. (1)    Course objectives

The curriculum for the course shall be compiled in such a manner that it leads to the personal and professional development of the pupil nurse so that, on completion of the course, he-

(a)    recognises and respects the dignity and worth of man;

(b)    understands the influence of social, cultural and physical circumstances on human behaviour and health;

(c)    demonstrates an understanding of the relevant legislation and of the common law as this applies to nursing;

(d)    abides by the ethical and moral codes governing nursing;

(e)    has the insight to practise safely and to take ethical decisions with the provisions of the relevant legislation and the scope of his practice;

(f)    accepts that nursing involves man at all stages of life;

(g)    is able to implement nursing acts for individuals or groups as part of the nursing regimen planned by a registered nurse or registered midwife, with particular reference to basic human needs;

(h)    understands the principlas of comprehensive health care and recognises the place of the enrolled nurse in the health team providing such care;

(i)    is willing to co-operate with other health team members;

(j)    recognises and carries out his responsibility in respect of the teaching of co-workers and patients.

(2)    Course content

(a)    First year:    Subject to the provisions of regulation 7 the following subjects shall be compulsory for the course:

(i)    Nursing History and Ethics;
(ii)    Basic Nursing Care;
(iii)    Elementary Nutrition;
(iv)    First Aid;
(v)    Elementary Anatomy and Physiology;
(vi)    Introduction to Comprehensive Health Care.

(b)    Second year:    The subjects for the second year of study shall be the following:

(i)    Basic sciences fundamental to basic nursing; and

(ii)    one of the following subjects, which shall be determined by the study direction for which the nursing school has been approved:

(aa)    General Nursing Care;
(bb)    Nursing Care of the Aged;
(cc)    Nursing Care of Mentally Retarded Persons;
(dd)    Community Nursing Care;
(ee)    Psychiatric Nursing Care.

(3)    Clinical training

(a)    Subject to the provisions of regulation 7 a pupil nurse shall undergo a minimum of 2 000 hours of clinical training, which shall be spread over the two academic years of the course.

(b)    The clinical training referred to in paragraph (a) shall include practica in the wards and departments at night for at least one twelfth but not more than one quarter of the prescribed period of training.

(c)    Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (b), a pupil nurse shall not be allocated for clinical practica at night during the first six months of the first year of study.

(d)    Continuous allocation for clinical practica at night shall not exceed 360 hours.

Exemptions

7. (1)    A candidate who, during the five years prior to the date of application, has terminated training at an approved nursing school in a course leading to registration as general nurse, general nurse and midwife, general nurse and psychiatric nurse or nurse (general, psychiatric and community) and midwife may be enrolled as a nurse on application and payment of the prescribed fee if-

(a)    he has completed at least two years of the course he has terminated;

(b)    he has passed the examination in General Nursing Science and Art II or Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art II (or its equivalent);

(c)    he has completed at least 2 000 hours of clinical practica;

(d)    a record of training satisfactory to the council is submitted by the relevant nursing school where such training took place together with a certificate from the person in charge of the nursing school that the candidate has attained at least the equivalent of the course objectives referred to in regulation 6.

(2) (a)    A candidate who, in the five years prior to the date of application, has terminated his training in a course referred to in subregulation (1) without passing the examination in General Nursing Science and Art II or Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art II (or its equivalent) may, subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), be granted exemption from the full period of training undergone up to one academic year, plus half of any period in excess of one academic year.

(b)    In the case of an exemption referred to in paragraph (a)-

(i)    the total period of exemption shall not exceed one and a half academic years;

(ii)    the hours prescribed for clinical training in terms of regulation 6(3) shall be adjusted proportionally;

(iii)    no other break in training shall have occured;

(iv)    a notification of termination of training as a student nurse shall have been submitted;

(v)    an application for enrolment as a pupil nurse shall be submitted together with an application for exemption;

(vi)    the pupil nurse shall comply with the provisions of regulation 9 for admission to the examination.

(c)    A pupil nurse who has been granted exemption from one academic year or longer in terms of paragraph (a) and who has passed an examination equivalent to General Nursing Science and Art I or Psychiatric Nursing Science and Art I shall be exempted from the first year examination prescribed by regulation 9 and from education in the subjects prescribed for the first year by regulation 6.

(3)    A pupil nurse who is an enrolled nursing auxiliary and who has completed a prescribed course leading to enrolment as a nursing auxiliary during the five years prior to the date of application and who has passed the examination conducted by the council in terms of the relevant regulations for such course may be exempted from a period of one academic year, from the first year examination prescribed by regulation 8 and from education in the subjects prescribed for the first year by regulation 6.

(4) (a)    A candidate who is an enrolled nursing auxiliary who does not qualify for the exemption referred to in subregulation (3), but who passes an admission examination of the council which is equivalent to an examination referred to in that subregulation may, subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), be exempted from one academic year, from the first year examination prescribed by regulation 8 and from education in the subjects prescribed for the first year by regulation 6.

(b)    An exemption referred to in paragraph (a) shall be subject to the condition that the pupil nurse shall submit proof of having passed at least an academic standard eight or having an equivalent educational qualification.

(5)    The council may, in its discretion, grant other exemptions.

Examinations

8. (1) (a)    Each subject referred to in these regulations shall be examined by the council in accordance with the regulations relating to examinations of the council.

(b)    For the purposes of the regulations referred to in paragraph (a) the course referred to in these regulations shall be deemed to be a basic course.

(2)    The examination for the first year shall consist of the following two portions:

(a)    A written portion conducted by the council and consisting of one paper of three hours’ duration on the subjects referred to in regulation 6(2)(a);

(b)    a practical portion conducted by the nursing school.

(3)    The final examination shall consist of the following two portions:

(a)    A written portion conducted by the council and consisting of one paper of three hours’ duration on-

(i)    the subject referred to in regulation 6(2)(b)(i); and
(ii)    one of the subjects referred to in regulation 6(2)(b)(ii), depending on the study direction followed;

(b)    a practical portion conducted by the nursing school.

Requirements for admission to the examination

9. (1)    A candidate shall be admitted to the first-year examination only if he-

(a)    will have completed at least 40 weeks of the first academic year by the end of the month in which the examination is conducted;

(b)    obtains a year-mark of at least 50% in a system of continuous assessment referred to in regulation 3(2)(c).

(2)    A candidate shall be admitted to the final examination only if he-

(a)    will have completed the prescribed period for the course by the end of the month in which the examination is conducted;

(b)    obtains a year-mark of at least 50% in a system of continuous assessment referred to in regulation 3(2)(c);

(c)    will have achieved the objectives referred to in regulation 6(1) by the date of the examination.

Admission to the second academic year

10. (1)    A pupil nurse shall be admitted to the second academic year only after he has passed the first year examination referred to in regulation 8 or has been exempted therefrom in terms of regulation 7.

(2)    The date of admission to the second academic year shall be the date on which the prescribed examination was taken, or the day following the completion of the first academic year, whichever date is the later.

Application of regulations

11.    Subject to regulation 12, these regulations shall apply to all courses in the Republic of South Africa leading to enrolment as a nurse.

Transition clause

12. (1) (a)    Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c) and subregulations (2) and (3), these regulations shall not derogate from the provisions of the regulations published under Government Notice No. R. 1664 of 3 August 1979, as amended (hereinafter referred to as the “1979 regulations”), which shall remain in force until 31 December 1997.

(b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) and subject to the provisions of subregulation (2)(b) and (3), these regulations shall not derogate from the provisions of the regulations published in terms of the Nursing Act, 1984 (Act No. 13 of 1984) (Ciskei), under Government Notice No. 99 (undated) (hereinafter referred to as the “Ciskei regulations”), which shall remain in force until 31 December 1998.

(c)    Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) and subject to the provisions of subregulation (2)(c), the 1979 regulations shall remain in force until 31 December 1998 in the territories of the former Republics of Bophuthatswana and Transkei.

(2) (a)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1)(a) and subject to the provisions of paragraphs (b) and (c), no person shall be admitted to enrol for a course referred to in that subregulation after 31 December 1994.

(b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1)(b) and paragraph (a), no person shall be permitted to enrol for a course referred to in the Ciskei regulations after 28 February 1997.

(c)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1)(c) and paragraph (a), no person shall be permitted to enrol for a course referred to in the 1979 regulations in the territories of the former Republics of Bophuthatswana or Transkei after 28 February 1997.

(3) (a)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1)(a) and (b), the examinations for the course referred to in that subregulation shall, from a date to be determined by the council, be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the regulations relating to examinations of the council and the provisions of regulations 8, 9 and 10 of these regulations shall apply to such course.

(b)    For the purposes of the regulations relating to examinations of the council, the course referred to in subregulation (1)(a) and (b) shall be deemed to be a basic course.