Circular 3/2024 – Performance of Medical Male Circumcision (MMC) by Nurses

TO:         NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

                ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SUBJECT: PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL MALE CIRCUMCISION (MMC) BY NURSES

___________________________________________________________________________

1. PURPOSE

• The purpose of this Circular is to provide a directive to the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and all relevant stakeholders on the performance of MMC by Nurse Practitioners.

2. BACKGROUND

• The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is a statutory body functioning in terms of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005) to set and maintain the standards of nursing practice including upholding professional and ethical standards within nursing in South Africa.
• The mandate of SANC is to serve and protect the public in matters involving health services generally and nursing services in particular.
• Furthermore, the SANC has an obligation to liaise and communicate with stakeholders on matters pertaining to the profession.
• In line with its obligations above, Council has been inundated with inquiries, from stakeholders, seeking clarity pertaining to performance of medical male circumcision, a great initiative adopted by the National Department of Health to further strengthen its strides in reducing the plight of HIV and AIDS infection in South Africa, which Council fully supports.

3. COUNCIL RESOLUTION

• The Council at its ordinary meeting of 25-26 January 2024, deliberated on the matter and resolved that a circular that outlines Council directives on MMC be issued as follows:
  • Only Professional Nurses are allowed to conduct MMC.
  • They must have been trained, mentored, assessed and deemed competent (evidence of their competence should be produced) before they are allowed to conduct the male circumcision.
  • They should have had the opportunity to observe 10 cases being performed.
  • The products of the MMC must be handled in line with other related legislation and internal protocols, including the Human tissue Act (Act No. 65 of 1983).
  • NDoH shall have a system of continuous monitoring MMC implementation.
  • The SANC reserves the right to audit the departmental records on the MMC programme that involves nurse practitioners.
  • Nurse Practitioners who fail to comply with this directive will be liable for acting beyond their scope of practice.

4. IMPLEMENTATION

• This circular shall become effective on the date of issue. For any clarity-seeking questions in respect of this circular, you are advised to contact Dr NJ Muswede, Senior Manager: Professional Practice on Tel: (012) 420 1008, or E-mail: [email protected]

________________________           
PROF. NG MTSHALI

REGISTRAR & CEO

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE: _________________________

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Circular 2/2024 – Placing the Professional Entrance Examination in abeyance

TO:         NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

                ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SUBJECT: PLACING THE PROFESSIONAL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION IN ABEYANCE

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Circular is to notify the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and all Stakeholders regarding the temporary suspension of the Professional Entrance Examination until further notice.

2. BACKGROUND
   • The South African Nursing Council (SANC) a statutory body which functions in terms of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005), has a responsibility to liaise and communicate with stakeholders on matters pertaining to the profession.
   • Furthermore, the statutory objectives of the Council are to establish, improve, control conditions, standards and quality of nursing education and training.
   • In accordance with Section 4 (1) (c) of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005), the Council must:

 ‘Conduct examinations and appoint examiners and moderators and grant diplomas and certificates in respect of such examinations”.

• The Council, at a sitting on 29-30 July 2020, approved the requirement for registration of successfully completing the Professional Entrance Examination by the R.169 (Higher Certificate in Nursing) learners. The first cohort of candidates sat for the examination in May 2021.

• Guidelines for the Professional Entrance Examinations (R.171 and R.174) were developed in consultation with the Stakeholders and approved by Council at its sitting of 22-23 September 2022.
• A series of Circulars were developed and shared with Stakeholders on the progress of the implementation of the Professional Entrance Examination.
• The first cohort for Diploma in General Nursing (R.171), and Bachelor of Nursing (R. 174), sat for the Professional Entrance Examination in May 2023.

3. COUNCIL RESOLUTION
   • The Council at a sitting of 25-26 January 2024 deliberated on the progress, implementation and challenges experienced with the Professional Entrance Examination, and resolved that:
     • Considering all facts, processes and inputs from stakeholders, the Professional Entrance Examinations should be reviewed, improved, and streamlined.
     • The Professional Entrance Examination will thus be put in abeyance until further notice.
     • For the period that the Professional Entrance Examinations are held in abeyance, no candidates for Higher Certificate in Nursing (R.169), Diploma in General Nursing (R.171), and Bachelor of Nursing (R.174) will sit for the examination, including supplementary examination candidates.
     • All qualifications that were obtained from accredited NEIs post implementation of the Professional Entrance Examination and prior to the abeyance of this examination will be registered with the South African Nursing Council.
     • Only foreign candidates will write examinations according to the National Department of Health (NDoH): Foreign Workforce Management Programme (FWMP), Skills development Act and SANC requirements.

4. IMPLICATIONS
   • This Circular should be brought to the attention of all learners at all the Nursing Education Institutions.
   • The funds already paid by candidates for the March 2024 Professional Entrance Examination shall be credited to a specific learner’s name on the register of the SANC.
   • There will be no action taken for those who have previously written the PEE and are already registered.

5. IMPLEMENTATION

This Circular becomes implemented and valid on the date of issue. For any clarity-seeking questions in respect of this Circular, you are advised to contact Ms A. Mnguni, SANC Senior Manager: Learner affairs at (012) 420 1065, or email address [email protected]

_________________________                 
PROF. NG MTSHALI

REGISTRAR & CEO

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE: ______________________

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CIRCULAR 14/2023

TO:                       NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                              PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                              NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (NEIs)

                              ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL – YEAR-END CLOSURE

The offices of the South African Nursing Council will be closed for the year-end from Friday, 22 December 2023 at 12:00 pm midday, and re-open on Wednesday, 03 January 2024 at 08:00 am. Kindly note that on 22 December 2023, for operational reasons the gates will be closed at 11: 00 am already.

Annual fees must be paid into the Council’s bank account on or before 31 December 2023 to avoid restoration fees – note that banks take up to three (3) days to clear payments and thus all bank electronic transfers need to be made by 22 December 2023 to ensure it reaches the SANC by 31 December 2023.

The SANC banking details are:

Name of bank                         : First National Bank

Account number                    : 514 211 86 193

Branch code                           : 253145

Reference                               : Person’s own SANC Reference Number followed by ANLFEES

Whilst waiting for the Annual Practising Certificate to be distributed by the SANC, the employer can verify the registration status of the practitioner through the SANC website by logging into the SANC eRegister at https://www.sanc.co.za/eRegister.htm. To do this, they will require the practitioner’s SANC reference number or Identity Number (ID No).

We wish you all the best over the holiday season. Please stay safe and we look forward to working with you in 2024.

Kind regards

_______________________                                                 

PROF. NG MTSHALI

REGISTRAR AND CEO

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE: _________________

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CIRCULAR 13/2023

TO:                       NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                              PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                              NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (NEIs)

                              ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SUBJECT: UPDATE ON PROFESSIONAL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION TO BE CONDUCTED IN 2024

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Circular is to update the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and relevant stakeholders about the examination venues where the Professional Entry Examination (PEE) will be conducted in 2024.

2. BACKGROUND
   • The South African Nursing Council (SANC) issued Circular 14/2022 on 8 November 2022 and indicated that the Council in its meeting held on 22-23 September 2022, resolved that accredited NEIs should serve as Examination Centres in all the provinces for the 2023 Examination Cycle whilst the process of sourcing neutral venues by the SANC is underway. This implies that the Professional Entrance Examination will be conducted at the NEI where the student was enrolled for the programme for the examination cycle of 2023.
   • Due to the challenges experienced by the SANC when sourcing for neutral venues, the examination venues used for the current examination cycle 2023 will also be used in 2024.

The SANC will be holding a consultative workshop in early 2024 to discuss the matter of examination venues.

• The PEE will be conducted in line with the examination schedule published as per Circular 12/2023.

3. IMPLICATIONS

• This Circular should be brought to the attention of the students.

4. IMPLEMENTATION

This Circular becomes implementable and valid from the date of issue. For further information in respect of this Circular you are advised to contact Ms MA Mnguni, Senior Manager: Learner Affairs at 012 420 1065 or [email protected]

_______________________                                                 

PROF NG MTSHALI

REGISTRAR AND CEO

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE: ___________________

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CIRCULAR 12/2023

TO:                       NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                              PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                              NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (NEIs)

                              ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL (SANC) EXAMINATION SCHEDULE – 2024

Attached is the Examination Schedule for 2024

Kindly take note of the following requirements applicable to the SANC examinations:

1. The closing date for the examination applications should be strictly adhered to as neither exceptions nor allowances will be made to extend the provided dates (See Annexure A).

2. Only registered learners will be eligible for an examination: The Head of the Nursing Education Institution (NEI) must ensure that all learners are registered with the SANC within the prescribed period. Foreign applicants apply as individuals but will have to adhere to the prescribed period.

3. Candidates will not be registered for an examination with only an identity number. It must be noted that the SANC reference numbers are needed in all cases.

4. The NEI is required to verify if learners are registered for the appropriate course prior registering those learners for an examination. This verification must be  done through the SANCs Registration Section (See Annexure B).

5. The SANC will only process applications for entry into the South African Nursing Council examination that meet the following requirements:

1. The Examination Application Form is completed in full, accurately and signed by the relevant person/s. The surname and given names must be those appearing in the identity document/ passport number.

1. All the required documentation to be included.

1. c) There is proof of payment of prescribed examination fees into the SANC bank account, such payment must be done by the NEI (group payment) and not by learners, except for foreign candidates. Foreign candidates/South Africans with foreign qualifications write the same examination similar to the South African Nurses except for Admission examination for Foreign Applicants leading to Enrolment as a Nurse.

Banking details are as follows:

Name of Bank:                   First National Bank

Account number:             51425166282 (Current Account)

Branch:                                 Corporate Core Banking – Pretoria

Branch code:                      210-554

Reference:                         NEI S-number followed by the type of fee code ‘EXAMFEE’

The correct reference must appear on all deposits to expedite the processing of your payment. The code ‘EXAMFEE’ must only be used for payment in respect of examination fee. This code must not be used for any other types of payment.

Below is an example of an NEI reference that pertains to an examination fee payment as discussed above.

• S-number S12345: S12345EXAMFEE

6. Only those candidates that have been issued an examination timetable/number will be eligible to write the SANC examination.

7. The SANC requests invigilators not to enclose any other documents with the examination package.

8. The SANC reserves the right to cancel an examination reflected on the schedule if there are insufficient candidates for such an examination.

9. The SANC requests the NEIs to inform all their candidates of the outcome of the examination results once published. No examination results will be given out telephonically by the office of the SANC. However, candidates will receive results via text messages (SMS).

                NB:

The Head of the NEI must ensure that payment of fees by their Provincial Department of Health or Head Office is made separately for each NEI and for each specific examination.

Provincial bulk payments without specifications create administrative challenges and cause a delay in processing of the applications.

Examination fees are non-refundable according to Regulations regarding fees and fines payable to the South African Nursing Council (Government Notice No.R.170 of 8 March 2013)

__________________________________

PROF N. G MTSHALI

REGISTRAR AND CEO

THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE:_____________________________

ANNEXURE: A

• The following examinations will be held during the year 2024, should there be sufficient Candidates registered; and
• There are approved examinations centres in each of the nine (9) provinces of South Africa.

Professional Entrance Examination for Admission to the Nurses’ Register as a Professional Nurse and Midwife

Regulation: R.174 of 08 March 2013

Table: 1

Professional Entrance Examination for Admission to the Nurses’ Register as a Professional Nurse and Midwife

Paper 1 – Comprehensive Nursing care

Paper 2 – Midwifery component

Professional Entrance Examination for Admission to the Nurses’ Register as a Midwife

Regulation: R.1497 of 22 November 2019

Table: 2

Professional Entrance Examination for Admission to the Nurses’ Register as a Midwife

Professional entrance examination for Admission to the Nurses` Register as a General

Nurse Regulations: R.171 of 08 March 2013                          

(It is also written by Foreign Nurses as Admission Examination for registration as a General Nurse)

Table: 3

Professional entrance examination for Admission to the Nurses` Register as a General

Admission Examination for Foreign Applicants for Enrolment as a Nurse

Table: 4

Admission Examination for Foreign Applicants for Enrolment as a Nurse

Professional Entrance Examination for Admission to the Nurses` Register as an Auxiliary Nurse

Regulations: R.169 of 08 March 2013

(Also written by Foreign Nurses as Admission Examination for Enrolment as an Auxiliary Nurse)

Table: 5

Professional Entrance Examination for Admission to the Nurses` Register as an Auxiliary Nurse

ANNEXURE B

For further information, please contact the Assessment Section, South African Nursing Council.

Contact Professional Advisors:

Ms G Ndlovu                      :               Telephone 012 420 1078/ [email protected]

Ms M Tshabalala               :               Telephone 012 426 9534/ [email protected]

Manager: Assessment Section

Ms E Magagula                  :               Telephone 012 426 9596/ [email protected]

Fax:                                        :               012 343-5400

Address:                              :               Private Bag X132, Pretoria, 0001

E-mail:                                  :               [email protected]

Admission Examinations for Foreign Application to be held in the Republic of South Africa

For further information, please contact the SANC Foreign Registrations as follows

Contact: Mr S Shezi         :               Professional Advisor

Telephone: National       :               012 420 1040

International                      :               +2712 420 1040

Fax National                       :               012 426 9516

International                      :               +2712 426 9516

Address                                :               Private Bag X132, Pretoria, 0001

Republic of South Africa

E-mail                          :           [email protected]

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CIRCULAR 11/2023

TO:                       NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                              PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                              NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (NEIs)

                              ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SUBJECT:      INTAKE OF STUDENTS BY NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS FROM ONE PROGRAMME TO ANOTHER, PRIOR TO WRITING THE PROFESSIONAL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this Circular is to share with the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and relevant stakeholders about the decision of the Council regarding the practice of intake of students by the NEIs from one programme to another, prior to writing the Professional Entry Examination (PEE).

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 In terms of Section 4(1)(c) of the Nursing Act,2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005), the South African Nursing Council (SANC) must conduct the examinations, appoint Examiners and Moderators and grant certificates in respect of such examinations. 

2.2 The examinations that were conducted by the SANC for the legacy Nursing Qualifications are coming to an end on 30^th November 2023. In this regard, the SANC issued Circular 14/2020 on 20 December 2020 and indicated that students who are enrolled for the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework-(HEQSF)-aligned Nursing Qualifications will be required to write and pass the PEE on completion of education and training before their names are entered in the SANC Nurse Register.

2.3 The SANC introduced the PEE in May 2021 and the first group that wrote the PEE was the student nurses who enrolled for the Higher Certificate in Nursing.

2.4 Section 4(1)(3) of the Government Notice No 195 of 2008  as amended, stipulates that the Registrar must register an applicant whose application complies with the requirements of sub regulation (1) and (2) with effect from the last day of the month in which the accredited programme was successfully completed, hence the applicants who met the requirements for the HEQSF-aligned nursing qualifications will be registered at the end of the month in which the PEE was successfully completed.

2.5 The NEIs raised concerns that the SANC does not allow students to access one programme to another prior to writing the PEE. Their concerns are reasonable; however, this will be in contradiction with Section 2.4 above. The qualification must either be terminated or be completed before access to another programme. The SANC is hopeful that these challenges will be addressed when the months in which the examination is written are further increased so that the students are not affected. In future all the examination processes will be fast tracked when online examination system is implemented.

3. COUNCIL RESOLUTION

3.1 The Council at its ordinary meeting held on 13-14 July 2023, resolved not to approve the practice of intake of learners by the NEIs from one programme to another prior to writing the Professional Entrance Examination.

4. IMPLICATIONS

4.1 The Council resolution will not be applicable to the students who apply for termination before accessing other nursing programmes OR other fields of study, e.g., medicine. The students are allowed direct entry to other nursing programmes if they meet the admission requirements without writing the PEE.

4.2 Once the student has opted to terminate and pursue other programmes besides the one which she was enrolled for, the student cannot return to write the PEE and expect that the registration date will be the last day of the month in which the accredited previous programme was successfully completed. This will create a clash of dates for registration. It will also be viewed as if the student commenced the new programme without passing the previous programme.

4.3 The SANC will not enter any student nurse to the SANC Nurse Register before the PEE has been written and passed.

4.4 The SANC will not issue a verification of qualification and a letter of good standing for the student nurse who did not write and pass the PEE, but who is interested in migrating to other countries.

4.5 Nurses who are enrolled for Postgraduate studies are not affected by this Circular.

4.6 This Circular should be brought to the attention of all students.

5. IMPLEMENTATION

This Circular becomes implementable and valid from the date of issue. For further information in respect of this Circular you are advised to contact Ms SJ Nxumalo: Deputy Registrar at (012) 420 1059 or on e-mail [email protected] OR Ms MA Mnguni, Senior Manager: Learner Affairs at 012 420 1065 or [email protected].

_______________________

PROF NG MTSHALI

REGISTRAR AND CEO

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE: ___________________

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20 June 2023

TO:        NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

               PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

               NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS (NEIs)

               ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SUBJECT – PRESCRIBED LECTURER: STUDENT RATIOS FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF NURSES

1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this circular is to share with the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and relevant stakeholders about the revised Lecturer: Student Ratios in facilitation of theory and Work Integrated Learning (WIL).

2. BACKGROUND

2.1     The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is a statutory body which functions in terms of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005). It has a responsibility to establish, improve, monitor and control the conditions, standards and quality of Nursing Education & Training and Practice within the ambit of the Nursing Act and any other applicable laws.

2.2   The SANC engaged with Education and Training Stakeholders regarding the issue of                          Lecturer: Student Ratios because of the view that the current ratios are inadequate to meet the needs of the country and many students currently being admitted to higher education studies. It was also indicated that Nursing education and training has become very expensive considering that an increase in the number of students requires simultaneous increase in the number of Lecturers and other resources to ensure quality education and training. The benchmarking exercise was conducted with other countries including African countries in particular. Although there are variations, it became clear that other countries also have approved Lecturer: Student Ratios guidelines.

2.3     The Council deliberated on this matter in the ordinary meeting held on 30-31 March 2023 and resolved to approve the revised Lecturer: Student Ratios below.

Table 1 below depicts the revised ratios for undergraduate programmes for theory and Work Integrated Learning (WIL).

Table 1: Undergraduate programmes

Table 2 below depicts the revised ratios for Postgraduate Diploma programmes (Clinical and non-clinical) for theory and WIL.

Table 2: Postgraduate Diploma Nursing programmes

3. IMPLICATIONS

3.1       The Nursing Education Institutions must ensure that distribution of teaching workload is fair and realistic to ensure quality teaching. Other factors to be considered include e.g. the weighting of the modules in terms of credits.

3.2       Increase in student numbers is not automatic, Nursing Education Institutions must still apply for extension of accreditation scope as stipulated in Sub-regulation 7(1) of the Regulations Relating to Accreditation of Institutions as Nursing Education Institutions (Government Notice No. R.173 of 8 March 2013).

3.3       The Nursing Education Institution must have offered the programme for at least a year before applying for an increase in the number of students.

3.4       The Letter of Support is still required for utilization of clinical facilities in the public sector, especially where the clinical spaces are more than what was allocated.

3.5       The Memorandum of Agreement signed within the last five (05) years will still be valid except where the clinical placement spaces are increased more than what was approved in terms of the (MOA/MOU).

3.6       Situational analyses conducted within the last five (05) years are still valid except where there have been major changes in respect of the services offered.

For further information in respect of this Circular, you are advised to contact Ms SJ Nxumalo – Deputy Registrar at (012) 420 1059 or on e-mail at: [email protected]

____________________

PROF NG MTSHALI

REGISTRAR AND CEO

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE:  ___________________     

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