FOR ATTENTION: News Editors SUBJECT: Payment of annual fees by nurses and midwives DATE: 30 January 2017   The South African Nursing Council (SANC) would like to reaffirm that all nursing practitioners have to pay their annual practicing fees, like all other professionals working in other professions in the country, to enable them to practice nursing legally in South Africa. However, unlike other professionals, nursing practitioners have six (6) months to pay their fee (i.e. from 1 July to 31 December every year). The fees for this year were published in the Government Gazette in June 2016 already and communication by way of circulars and sms messages were sent to all nursing practitioners as well as employers, reminding them about the payment of these fees since August 2016. The payment period and payment methods are also well explained at the back of the Annual Practicing Certificates (APC) sent to nurses. Says Ms Sizeni Mchunu, Acting Registrar of the SANC: “Practitioners can pay their annual fees at any FNB branch in the country. In addition, the SANC in 2016 like in previous years, also undertook several outreach programmes as from July to December 2016 in all nine provinces where practitioners could pay and receive their certificates immediately.” The SANC normal annual practicing fees have been kept very low as per previous years, and for 2017 are: Registered Nurses and Midwives: R590.00 Enrolled Nurses and Midwives : R360.00 Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries : R250.00.   The restoration fees, however, are regulated under the Regulations Regarding Fees and Fines Payable to the South African Nursing Council, Regulation R. 170 as promulgated on 8 March 2013, which is legislated by Government and is a fine for late payment. These fees are thus higher than the annual practicing fees. It should be noted that if nursing practitioners pay their annual fees within the six (6) months’ allocated time as described above, the practitioners would avoid being fined with a restoration fee. In addition, payment prior to the deadline means that the practitioner’s certificate (APC) will be posted ahead of time and not over the Christmas period which is the busiest time for the South African Post Office. “The SANC has full understanding of the challenges facing its members on a national basis, and therefore has made an eRegister available to employers. The eRegister is sufficient proof for an employer to check if all nursing practitioners are registered for the relevant year if they did not receive their physical APC as yet due to postage delays. Using this service would make it unnecessary for nurses to travel from all nine provinces to pick up the physical APC from the SANC offices in Pretoria. The eRegister is available on the SANC website at www.sanc.co.za/eRegister.htm,” says Ms Mchunu. As for the closing period of the SANC during December 2016, the SANC did not close as from the 16th of December 2016 but from 23 – 30 December 2016 which corresponds with the normal closing period for the SANC every year between Christmas and New Year. This closing period was communicated well in advance to all nursing practitioners, reminding them about the options available to them to make payment to the SANC during the closing period as well as the impact it would have if the SANC did not receive their payment by the deadline of 31 December.   ENDS Issued by: Mrs. Adri van Eeden Senior Manager: Marketing and Communications South African Nursing Council  E-mail : [email protected] Website: www.sanc.co.za  Tel : 012 426-9542 Official Spokesperson and person to be quoted: Ms S Mchunu Acting Registrar and CEO: SA Nursing Council   For more information or to arrange for an interview with the Spokesperson, please contact Mrs. Adri van Eeden on Tel. (012) 426-9542 or email: [email protected]

20 December 2016

TO:	National Department of Health
	Provincial Departments of Health
	Nursing Education Institutions
	All Stakeholders

 

INFORMATION REGARDING THE PHASING OUT OF LEGACY QUALIFICATIONS; AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NURSING QUALIFICATIONS ALIGNED TO THE HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS SUB-FRAMEWORK (HEQSF)

 

1. Purpose of the circular

The purpose of this document is to update Nursing Education Institutions and relevant stakeholders about the Council’s position on the phasing out of the legacy nursing qualifications and implementation of the HEQSF- aligned new nursing qualifications.

 

2. Background

The South African Nursing Council (SANC), as a statutory body, established 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.

The promulgation and subsequent proclamation of various sections of the Nursing Act brought about new provisions, necessitating a series of essential activities to implement these provisions. One such provision was the creation of new categories of nurses, making it mandatory for the SANC to develop relevant implementation measures, including but not limited to competencies, scopes of practice and regulations in preparation for the implementation of the new HEQSF-aligned nursing qualifications

 

3. Legacy nursing qualifications

The repealed Nursing Act, 1978 (Act No. 50 of 1978), provided for the following categories of nurses who may practice the nursing profession:

•	Registered Nurse
•	Midwife
•	Enrolled Nurse
•	Enrolled Nursing Auxiliary

In addition to the pre-service/pre-registration programmes that led to professional registration in the categories referred to above, the Nursing Act provided for additional qualifications obtainable after undergoing the following programmes (referred to as post-basic courses):

•	Community Health Nursing
•	Midwifery
•	Psychiatric Nursing
•	Diploma in Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment, Treatment and Care (Government Notice No. R. 48 of 1982 as amended). It must be noted that this programme is not similar to the Community Healthcare Programme (regarded as an ancillary course).
•	Clinical Nursing Science Programmes leading to additional qualifications* (Government Notice No. R. 212 of 19 February 1993, as amended):

•	Child Nursing Science
•	Community Nursing Science
•	Gerontological Nursing Science
•	Medical and Surgical Nursing Science
•	Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science
•	Occupational Health Nursing Science
•	Psychiatric Nursing Science

*The repealed Act did not specify the categories in terms of nurses who had acquired the above mentioned additional qualifications.

 

3. 1 Phasing out of the legacy qualifications

The underlying context for the phasing-out of the legacy qualifications is informed by the following:

•	The responsibility of the SANC to implement section 31 of the Nursing Act, which prescribes new categories. Such necessitated a reviewed competency framework for nurses and midwives, new scopes of practice for nurses and midwives and presented an opportunity to harmonize new nursing qualifications with health service needs
•	The need to comply with other relevant laws such as the Higher Education Act, 1997 and the National Qualifications Framework, 2008

‘’The Minister of Higher Education and Training has, in line with the provisions of the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act 101 of 1997), declared that the last enrolment date for first time entering students into academic programmes that are not aligned to the Higher Education Qualifications Sub-Framework (HEQSF) is 31 December 2019 (Government Notice No. R. 801 of 2016, published in the Government Gazette of 06 July 2016).

 

This effectively means that no students shall be enrolled into any Legacy qualification after 31 December 2019. This refers to all the above-mentioned nursing programmes, except for the courses leading to enrolment as a Nursing Auxiliary and enrolment as a Nurse; for which enrolment dates have already expired”.

 

3. 2 Phasing out process

The South African Nursing Council has begun the process of phasing out legacy nursing qualifications in preparation for the phasing in of the nursing qualifications that are aligned to the HEQSF. The phasing out of Legacy nursing qualifications is a gradual process, as outlined below:

3.2.1 Course leading to enrolment as a Nursing Auxiliary

The end date of enrolment into this programme was 30 June 2015, as communicated in Circular 13/2014 and further published in Government Gazette Notice No. R.928 of 09 October 2015. 

 

3.2.2 Course leading to enrolment as a Nurse

The end date of enrolment into this programme was 30 June 2015 as communicated in Circular 13/2014 and further published in Government Gazette Notice No. R.928 of 09 October 2015.

The above-mentioned two programmes/courses are at NQF level 3 and 4, and out of line with the spirit of placing nursing at a post-schooling level. 

Implications

The implications of the end date of enrolment for the above mentioned two legacy programmes are that:

•	The registers for leaners undergoing the two programmes are closed, therefore no further names will be entered into these registers after the said date.
•	Learners who are currently enrolled in these two programmes who fail more than three times will have their status terminated, and will not be able to resume their studies towards these programmes, as 30 June 2015 was the final enrolment date.
•	The last examination and repeat dates must be adhered to i.e. • Course leading to enrolment as a Nursing Auxiliary – May 2017 • Course leading to enrolment as a Nurse – May 2017, November 2017 and May 2018
•	Persons who completed these programmes and are currently enrolled as Nurses or Nursing Auxiliaries are not affected by this change.
•	The attention of the profession is drawn to the fact that the new nursing qualifications, namely Higher Certificate and Diploma, are not replacement qualifications for the above-mentioned two programmes

 

3.2.3 Bridging Course for enrolled Nurses leading to registration as a General or Psychiatric Nurse

The end date of enrolment and registration into this programme will be 31 December 2019. This is in line with Government Notice No. 801 of 06 July 2016 referred to under point 3.1 above. 

There will be no new intake for this programme from the year 2020. 

 

3.2.4. Course leading to registration as a Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife (Notice No. R.425 of 22 February 1985, as amended)

The end date of enrolment and registration for this programme will be 31 December 2019. This is in line with Government Notice No. R.801 of 06 July 2016 referred to under point 3.1 above.

There will be no new intake for this programme from the year 2020. 

 

Implications

•	A learner who terminates from the four-year programme and qualifies for enrolment as Nurse or Nursing Auxiliary, in line with prescripts of Government Notice Regulation No. R.2176 and No. R. 2175 of 1993, will be enrolled accordingly.

The process is in line with concessions as articulated in the previous SANC’s Circular No. 6 of 2007 (Circular6/2007).

•	Those who do not meet the requirements in line with concessions as articulated in Circular 6/2007 will be terminated from the programme since the entry registers for the R.2176 and R.2175 programmes were closed on 30 June 2015.
•	Candidates who would have failed third or fourth year levels of the R.425 programme may be admitted through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Process into the *R.683 programme offered by Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs), and attempt the examination for the Bridging Programme in line with requirements that they would have met, provided such admission occurs prior to 31 December 2019.

* R.683 is a two-year programme leading to registration as a General Nurse

 

3.2.5 Phasing out of Post-Basic Programmes

All the programmes listed in section 3 will be phased out on 31 December 2019. This is in line with Government Notice No. 801 of 06 July 2016, referred to in point 3.1 above.

There will be no new intake for these programmes from the year 2020.

 

3.2.6 Applications for approval related to Legacy Programmes

In order to facilitate a smooth transition from legacy to new nursing qualifications, there will be no further approval for the following in respect of the legacy programmes:

•	Increase in the number of learners;
•	Increase in the number of intakes of learners per year;
•	New Nursing Education Institutions;
•	New campuses/sub-campuses;
•	Legacy nursing programmes.

N.B. Only applications for approval of additional clinical facilities for post-basic nursing programmes may be considered by the SANC.

 

4. Phasing in of the new nursing qualifications that are aligned to the HEQSF

4.1 Legislative provisions 

Section 3(1) of the Nursing Act 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005), provides for the following categories of nurses who may practice as practitioners if registered by the Council upon fulfilment of the prescribed education and training requirements:

•	Professional Nurse
•	Midwife
•	Staff Nurse
•	Auxiliary Nurse
•	Auxiliary Midwife (N.B. There is no qualification to be offered for this category).

In line with the categories outlined above, the NQF aligned nursing qualifications that will be offered in future are outlined below:

QUALIFICATIONS TYPES	NQF LEVEL (CREDITS)	NURSING ACT PROVISION	PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION WITH SANC
Higher Certificate	5 (120)	Section 31(1)(d)	Auxiliary Nurse
Diploma	6 (360)	Section 31(1)(c)	General Nurse
Advanced Diploma	7 (120)	Section 31(1)(b)	Midwife
Bachelor`s Degree	8 (480)	Section 31(1)(a)	Professional Nurse and Midwife
Post-graduate Diploma	8 (120)	Section 31(2)	Nurse Specialist and Midwife Specialist
Master`s Degree (Professional)	9 (180)		No determined professional registration with SANC. Council to consider keeping a database
Master`s Degree (Research)	9 (180)		No determined professional registration with SANC. Council to consider keeping a database
Doctoral Degree (Professional)	10 (360)		No determined professional registration with SANC. Council to consider keeping a database

 

4.2 Progression and articulation possibilities 

4.2.1 Higher Certificate 

This qualification will lead to registration as an Auxiliary Nurse with the SANC, in line with Sections 31 (1) (d) of the Nursing Act, 2005. A nurse who holds the Higher Certificate qualification at NQF Level 5 cannot progress to an Advanced Certificate at NQF Level 6 as there is none for nursing. Such person can articulate to a Diploma in nursing at NQF Level 6 that leads to registration as a General Nurse.

The start date for enrolment of students for the Higher Certificate qualification is January 2018.

 

4.2.2 Diploma (General Nurse)

This qualification will lead to registration as a General Nurse with the South African Nursing Council. A nurse who holds a Diploma qualification at NQF Level 6 can progress, as follows:

a) Advanced Diploma at NQF L7 (Midwifery) that leads to professional registration as a Midwife [31(1) (b)];

b) From this level, a nurse can progress to a Post-graduate Diploma at NQF L8; to a Professional Master’s Degree at NQF L9; and ultimately 

c) To a Professional Doctorate at NQF L10.

 

The start date for enrolment of students for the Diploma qualification is January 2019.

 

4.2.3 Professional Bachelor’s Degree

A nurse who holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree at NQF L8 can progress to a Professional Master’s degree, provided they hold a Post-graduate Diploma (PGD) in Nursing; and subsequently to Professional Doctorate level. Without a PGD, s/he can only progress to ‘Research’ category Master’s and Doctoral degrees. 

The start date for enrolment of students for the Bachelor`s Degree qualification is January 2020. 

 

4.3 Post-graduate Diploma programmes

In the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act 33 of 2005) there are no prescribed categories for nurses with additional qualifications/specializations. The Minister of Health created a category of practitioner in terms of section 31(2) of the Nursing Act (Act 33 of 2005) which gave effect to the category “Nurse/Midwife Specialist”. This was published as Government Notice No. 368 of 15 May 2014. 

Post-graduate Programmes (PGDs) will be offered in line with the schedule of nursing qualifications, soon to be prescribed by the SA Nursing Council.

Competencies for the said PGDs have been developed and approved by the Council for the following programmes:

•	Critical Care Nurse Specialist (Adult)
•	Midwife Specialist
•	Occupational Health Nurse Specialist
•	Orthopaedic Nurse Specialist
•	Ophthalmic Nurse Specialist
•	Paediatric Nurse Specialist
•	Primary Care Nurse Specialist
•	Perioperative Nursing
•	Nursing Management
•	Nursing education
•	Psychiatric Nursing
•	Palliative and Oncology Nursing
•	Public Health Nursing
•	Forensic Nursing
•	Infection Prevention and control Nursing
•	Nephrology Nurse Specialist

These are available on the SANC website.

The new nursing qualifications will be accredited by both the South African Nursing Council and the Council of Higher Education (CHE). It must be noted that any student undergoing a nursing programme which has not been accredited by the South African Nursing Council will not be registered as such in terms of the Nursing Act, and on completion of the programme the SANC will not issue a professional registration for the acquired non-accredited programme.

The start date for enrolment and registration of students for the Post-graduate Diploma is January 2020.

 

5. Accreditation

5.1 Legislation underpinning accreditation

The Nursing Act (Act 33 of 2005), provides that the Nursing Council may accredit Nursing Education Institutions and Nursing Education Programmes in accordance with the Act and any other laws.

The relevant laws referred to in this context are the Higher Education Act, 1997 and the National Qualifications Framework Act, 2008.

 

5.2 Accreditation process

The accreditation process will be in line with the regulations relating to the accreditation of institutions as Nursing Education Institutions, promulgated in terms of Government Notice No. 173 of 08 March 2013.

It must be noted that the Council reserves the right to call for preliminary discussions with a prospective Nursing Education Institution; as well as the right to allow for representation to the Education Committee by the applying institution, where clarity is either sought or provided from and by either party. 

Please note that there will be:

•	No more dual submission to both the CHE and SANC;
•	No more issuing of provisional endorsement letters by the SANC. The Council will undertake a full evaluation of a submission before any pronouncement is made in respect of compliance or not of the submitted application.

 

6. Progress on regulations

6.1 The following regulations were promulgated by the Minister of Health:

•	Regulations relating to the approval of and the minimum requirements for the education and training of a learner leading to registration in the Category of Auxiliary Nurse (Government Notice No. R. 169 of 08 March 2013);
•	Regulations relating to the approval of and the minimum requirements for the education and training of a learner leading to registration in the Category of Staff Nurse (Government Notice No. R. 171 of 08 March 2013);
•	Regulations relating to the approval of and the minimum requirements for the education and training of a learner leading to registration in the Categories of Professional Nurse and Midwife (Government Notice No. R. 174 of 08 March 2013);
•	Regulations relating to the accreditation of institutions as Nursing Education Institutions (Government Notice No. R. 173 of 08 March 2013);
•	Regulations regarding fees and fines payable to the South African Nursing Council (Government Notice No. R. 170 of 08 March 2013).

 

6.2 The following regulations are at various stages of processing between the SANC and the National Department of Health (NDoH):

•	Draft Regulations regarding the Register for Learner/Student Nurses and Learner/Student Midwives;
•	Draft regulations for Post-graduate Diploma: Nurse or Midwife Specialist;
•	Draft regulations relating to the approval of and the minimum requirements for the education and training of a learner leading to registration in the Category of Midwife and
•	Regulations Relating to the Scope of Practice for Nurses and Midwives

 

7. Withdrawal of Circulars

The Circulars listed below are herewith withdrawn, only to the extent of and in respect of the content that is replaced/updated by, or conflicting with this document; on the date of implementation of this circular:

•	Circular 3/2009: Implementation of the nursing qualifications registered on the NQF.
•	Circular 3/2010: Update on the status of offering of legacy nursing qualifications and implementation of the new nursing qualifications registered on the NQF.
•	Circular 3/2011: Extension of date for Nursing Education Institutions to offer Legacy nursing qualifications.
•	Circular 6/2012: Dual submission of programmes for accreditation to South African Nursing Council (SANC) and Council on Higher Education (CHE).
•	Circular 9/2012: Extension of the date of submission of new nursing programmes for accreditation by the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and Council on Higher Education (CHE) – [Dual submission: Circular 6/2012].
•	Circular 11/2014: Extension of offering of the Education and Training programme leading to registration as a Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife (Government Notice No. R. 425 of 22 February 1985, as amended).
•	Circular 12/2014: Extension to offer supplementary and Post-Basic (additional) Qualifications, including the Bridging Course for Enrolled Nurses leading to Registration as a General Nurse or Psychiatric Nurse.

 

8. Implementation date

This circular becomes implementable on the date of issue. 

For further information on this circular, you are advised to contact the Senior Manager: Education and Training, Ms SJ Nxumalo at 012 426 1022 or [email protected]

 

Kind Regards

(Signed)

Ms SA Mchunu
Acting Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Counci

 

20 December 2020

TO:	Nursing Education Institutions
	Nursing Stakeholders

 

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL EXAMINATIONS SCHEDULE – 2017

 

Attached is the complete Circular 6/2017 including the Examination Schedule for 2017

 

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

1. The closing date for the examinations must be strictly adhered to and no exceptions or allowances will be made to extend these dates.
2. Only registered students/pupils will be eligible for an examination: The Head of the nursing education institution must ensure that all learners are registered with the Council within the prescribed period (Foreign applicants apply as individuals though will have to adhere to the prescribed period).
3. Candidates will not be registered for an examination with only an identity number. Council reference numbers are needed in all cases. Please follow up with the Council Registration department first, if learners are not registered for the course before registering students for an examination.
4. The Council will only process applications for entry into a Council examination that meet the following requirements:
   1. The Examination Application Form is completed in full and signed by the relevant person/s. The surname and given names must be those appearing in the identity document.
   2. All the required documents to be included.
   3. There is proof of payment of prescribed examination fee into the Council’s bank account;  Such payment must be done by the Nursing Education Institution (NEI) (group payment) and not by individual students/pupils.
      

      Banking details are as follows:
          Name of Bank: First National Bank
          Account number: 51425166282 (Current Account)
          Branch: Corporate Core Banking – Pretoria
          Branch code: 253-145
          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. Here is an example of what a correct reference will look like for an NEI with S-number s12345: 

          S12345EXAMFEE:

   NB: The Head of the NEI must ensure that payment of fees by their Provincial Department 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.

5. Only those candidates that have been issued an examination timetable/number will be eligible to write a Council examination.
6. All practical MARK SHEETS must be submitted to the Council by registered mail/courier by the end of the month in which the examination is written.  If the PRACTICAL MARK SHEETS in SANC format are not submitted on time, the examination results will be published without the practical marks, hence qualification certificate will not be issued to the affected candidates.
7. The Council requests invigilators not to enclose the practical mark sheet or any other documents with the Examination package.
8. The Council reserves the right to cancel an examination reflected on the schedule if there are insufficient candidates for such an examination.
9. The Council request the NEI’s to inform all their candidates of the outcome of the examination results once published. No examination results will be given out telephonically by the Council.  However, learners will receive results via text messages (SMS).
10. In respect of the Admission Examination of the Course Leading to Enrolment as a Nurse, the NEI has a responsibility to establish that the learner complies with the requirements of regulation 7(4)(a) and (b) of the regulations published by Government Notice No. R.2175 of 19 November 1993 (as amended) before the learner is entered for the Admission Examination. Once a leaner has successfully passed Admission Examination, it becomes very difficult to convince the learner that he/she do not qualify for the exemption allowed in terms of the regulations. Particular attention must be paid to the requirement of an academic standard 8 or equivalent qualification.
11. The Admission Examination for the Course Leading to Enrolment as a Nurse effectively now only applies to those Nursing Auxiliaries who pre-1993 followed the 100-day course leading to enrolment as a Nursing Assistant where the final examination was conducted by the institution not by the Council.
12. No learner shall be allowed to write the Final examination of the (R.2175) course before he/she has passed either the First year examination (R.2175), Council Auxiliary Examination (R.2176) or the Admission Examination for (R.2175).

 

Kind Regards

(Signed)

Ms SA Mchunu
Acting Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council

 

20 December 2016

 

TO:	National Department of Health
	Provincial Departments of Health
	Nursing Education Institutions
	All Stakeholders

 

APPOINTMENT AS ACTING REGISTRAR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

This circular serves to inform all Stakeholders that Ms Sizeni Angel Mchunu has been appointed as the Acting Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the South African Nursing Council by the Honourable Minister of Health, Dr A Motsoaledi, with effect from 27 June 2016.

 

The appointment is in terms of Section 18 of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No.33 of 2005) and on conditions provided in terms of the Policy on the Secondment of Employees in the Public Sector.

 

 Kind regards

(Signed)

BR Bhengu (Prof)
Chairperson
South African Nursing Council

 

06 December 2016

 

TO:	National and Provincial Departments of Health
	Nursing Education Institutions
	Health Establishments
	Nursing Stakeholders

 

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL – YEAR END CLOSURE

 

The South African Nursing Council offices will be closed

 

Kind regards

(Signed)

Ms SA Mchunu
Acting Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council

 

5 December 2016

TO:	All Staff and Clients
FROM:	Ms SA Mchunu Acting Registrar and CEO

 

SANC OFFICES CLOSING ON 9 DECEMBER 2016

 

Please be informed that on Friday, 09 December 2016, the Council offices will close at 12:00 midday.

Your co-operation will be highly in this regard.

 

Yours sincerely

 

(Signed)

Ms SA Mchunu
Acting Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council

FINDINGS ON THE SURVEY OF THE RECENTLY QUALIFIED ENROLLED NURSES AND ENROLLED NURSING AUXILIARIES

 

PURPOSE

To inform the nursing profession, employers both public and private, critical stakeholders, prospective nursing students and the South African community about the findings of the survey.

 

BACKGROUND

The Education and Training Department was mandated by Council at its meeting held in July 2015 to conduct a survey on recently qualified Enrolled Nurses and Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries. This survey was conducted to establish if there is a high proliferation of Enrolled Nurses and Enrolled Nursing Auxiliary categories and also to establish their employability status in the public and private health care industry. The South African Nursing Council amongst other functions is tasked with reporting to the Health Minister every six months on the status of nursing (section4 (1) (p) (ii) through request for submission of employer returns by Nursing Education Institutions section 4(2) (k) and employers section 4(2) (I). It is however, not easy to access nurses in transition from training to employment. 

 

METHODOLOGY

A purposive sampling was used through accessing examination results of students who wrote in May & November2013 and passed as well as in May & November 2014 and passed. The Survey Monkey methodology was used and the questionnaires were sent through SMSes with a linkage through to a web-browser to access the attached questionnaires. The participants were to respond directly on their smart phones, desktops or laptops. SMSes were sent to 10 000 students that passed during the period under review. The participants were given six (6) weeks to respond and their participation was voluntary. There were 3 000 (30%) responses received within the six week period.

The questionnaires included:

•	Year qualification obtained
•	Institution’s name where qualification obtained
•	Cost of training per year
•	Did you do pre- nursing?
•	Province qualification obtained
•	Name of the current employer
•	Province currently employed
•	Date of employment after qualification
•	Full time employment
•	Temporary employment
•	Were recruited by employment agency? If yes, state the name of recruitment agency

 

ANALYSIS OF RESPONSES

It was done by Survey Monkey instruments and categorised according to:

•	Age group
•	Province where trained
•	Province of employment
•	Permanent employment
•	Temporary employment / Unemployment

 

RESULTS AND FINDINGS

AGE DISTRIBUTION IN ENROLLED NURSING AND ENROLLED NURSING AUXILLIARY CATEGORIES

AGE IN YEARS	PERMANENT	TEMPORARY	UNEMPLOYMENT
20-25	12,34%	17,86%	69,81%
26-30	9,50%	15,38%	75,11%
31-35	17,82%	16,31%	66,36%
36-40	21,10%	15,19%	63,71%
41-45	23,26%	16,28%	60,97%
46-50	32,76%	13,79%	53.45%
Average	16,65%	16,42%	63,93%

The results indicate that as age increases there is a decline in the unemployment and increase in permanent employment and decrease in the temporary employment. The study reflected that the younger generation is most affected with high unemployment rate .The average unemployment rate is higher than employment rate whether permanent or temporary.

PROVINCE WIDE RESULTS
ENROLLED NURSING AUXILIARY CATEGORY

PROVINCE	PERMANENT	TEMPORARY	UNEMPLOYED
GAUTENG	7,69%	17,95%	74,36%
KWAZULU –NATAL	6,12%	6,63%	87,36%
EASTERN CAPE	18,89%	17,78%	63,33%
MPUMALANGA	2,38%	4,76%	93,33%
NORTH WEST	22,45%	4,08%	73,47%
LIMPOPO	7,50%	5,00%	87,50%
WESTERN CAPE	32,30%	28,08%	44,62%
FREE STATE	10,50%	31,58%	57,89%
AVERAGE	10,77%	13,60%	75,63%

They survey indicated that unemployment is higher among Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries than Enrolled Nurses and there is a high unemployment in the urban and semi urban provinces as compared to rural and underdeveloped provinces. The average statistics of unemployment indicated that urban and semi urban provinces are mostly affected

 

ENROLLED NURSING CATEGORY

PROVINCE	PERMANENT	TEMPORARY	UNEMPLOYED
GAUTENG	35,52%	22,07%	42,41%
KWAZULU –NATAL	10,44%	16,16%	73,40%
EASTERN CAPE	13,00%	19,00%	68,00%
MPUMALANGA	62,50%	25,00%	12,50%
NORTH WEST	62,50%	00,00%	37,50%
LIMPOPO	41,60%	8,33%	50,00%
WESTERN CAPE	45,45%	33,33%	21,21%
FREE STATE	31,25%	37,50%	31,25%
AVERAGE	23,30%	19,61%	57,09%

The study revealed that there is a slight improvement in the employability of Enrolled Nurses in all provinces but higher in the rural provinces on permanent basis as compared to the urban provinces. The study did reveal though that employment on average is above 55%, with an average of permanent employment at 23%.

 

APPOINTMENT BY NURSING AGENCIES

CATEGORY	YEAR	PERMANENT	TEMPORARY
ENA	2013	24%	13,64%
	2014	12%	9,36%
AVERAGE		1,52%	10,34%
EN	2013	4,64%	5,30%
	2014	2,73%	4,70%
AVERAGE		3,08%	14,80%

The survey revealed that Nursing Agencies are able to secure employment for both categories higher on temporary basis than permanent basis. The Enrolled Nurses’ categories on average benefited from Nursing Agencies than Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries categories, however, there was a significant decline between 2013 and 2014 in recruiting both categories for either permanent or temporary employment.

 

PRODUCTION OF ENROLLED NURSES AND ENROLLED NURSING AUXILIARIES CATEGORIES

CATEGORY	NEI	PERMANENT	TEMPORARY	UNEMPLOYED
ENA	PUBLIC NEI	19,09%	14,00%	70,09%
	PRIVATE NEI	9,64%	14,09%	76,27%
AVERAGE		10,77%	13,60%	75,63%
EN	PUBLIC NEI	44,76%	13,29%	41,96%
	PRIVATE NEI	18,71%	20,96%	60,33%
AVERAGE		23,30%	19,61%	57,09%

The survey reflect that both Enrolled Nurses and Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries categories who trained in public NEI’s are employable better than those trained in private NEI’s, but the average unemployability is higher for Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries categories irrespective where they have undergone training.

 

CONCLUSION

It is evident that there is a need to use these findings as a baseline to identify if there is a need to train these categories under new nursing qualifications especially Auxiliary Nurse category under R.169. It is also evident that prospective NEI’s which intend applying to offer such a programme to be guided by referring them to this survey.

11 May 2016

INTERNATIONAL NURSES’ DAY 2016

MESSAGE FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL ACTING CHAIRPERSON

The 12th of May is a day when nurses globally reflect on and celebrate the meaning and value of their contribution in the health care delivery. The South African Nursing Council join in celebrating the day with the nurses and midwives of our country. The theme for the 2016 International Nurses day is: Nurses: A Force for Change: Improving health systems’ resilience.

The South African Nursing Council contributes to the strengthening of health system resilience by ensuring that the Nursing Programmes being accredited prepares the graduates to acquire the necessary skills and competencies such as Monitoring and evaluation and management. Nurses are prepared to respond and take the necessary actions in cases of emergencies.

We support the strategy on re-engineering of Primary Health Care, which is Nurse driven and based on the promotion of Health, Prevention of Illness, restoration of health and alleviation of suffering. Nurses are also charged with the responsibilities of people and family centred, evidence based and continually improving in quality. This approach has been proven to be effective as well as cost effective.

SANC has the responsibility within the Nursing Act 2005 (Act 33 of 2005), to uphold and maintain professional conduct, ethics & practice standards. Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Nurses and Midwife is subsequently in the process of being established in terms of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act 33 of 2005,) sections 39 and 59 and other legislative & policy directives. A CPD Pilot in two Provinces one predominantly urban and the other predominantly rural in nature has been finalised and the outcome of the pilot study will guide further implementation of the CPD System. CPD activities are in terms of the framework that has been used for the pilot study, been divided into four (4) thematic areas,; namely (i)the Ethical Legal domain; (ii) Area of Practice; (iii) Leadership and Management and (iv) Teaching and Research.

We pay tribute to committed Nurses and Midwives at all health care settings who are providing the much needed quality care to the health care users, sometimes under very difficult environment.

Happy International Nurses’ day.

 

ENDS

 

Issued by:

The Acting Chairperson: Dr S Vasuthevan
The South African Nursing Council
Cecilia Makiwane Building
P.O. Box 132
Pretoria
0001

For more information contact: Ms Party Day Moloi
Tel : 012 426 9542 / 083 496 8366
Fax : 012 426 9554 / 086 231 9094

20 April 2020

TO:	National and Provincial Departments of Health
	Nursing Education Institutions
	Health Establishments
	Nursing Stakeholders

 

ANNUAL FEES FOR 2017

 

1. ANNUAL FEES FOR 2017

1.1  Normal Annual Fees 2017

The annual fees for the calendar year 2017 for the different categories of practitioners are given in the following table.

Category	Annual Fee for 2017
Registered Nurses and Midwives	R590.00
Enrolled Nurses and Midwives	R360.00
Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries	R250.00

 

1.2 Reductions in Annual Fees for Age 60 and Over

The Council has resolved to introduce reduced fees for nurses 60 years of age and over as per the table below:

1.2.1 Age 60 to 64 Years on 1 January 2017 (25% reduction)

Category	Annual Fee for 2017
Registered Nurses and Midwives	R440.00
Enrolled Nurses and Midwives	R270.00
Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries	R180.00

1.2.2 Over 64 years of Age on 1 January 2017 (50% reduction)

Category	Annual Fee for 2017
Registered Nurses and Midwives	R290.00
Enrolled Nurses and Midwives	R180.00
Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries	R120.00

NB: To qualify for the discount amounts, a practitioner may be required to submit a certified copy of his / her identity document in order to confirm his / her age.

Notes: 

The annual fees for 2017 must be received by SANC on or before 31 December 2017.

The amounts in the tables above all include 14% VAT.

 

2. RESTORATION FEES FOR 2017

The restoration fees for the different categories applicable from 1 January 2017 are shown in the following table.

Category	Normal Restoration Fee	Reduced Restoration Fee
Registered Nurses and Midwives	R1760.00	R120,00
Enrolled Nurses and Midwives	R1090.00	R120,00
Enrolled Nursing Auxiliaries	R740.00	R120,00

Note: 

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. CLOSING DATE FOR PAYMENT OF ANNUAL FEES

Please note that for the calendar year 2017, the closing date for the payment of Annual Fees is 31 December 2016. You are therefore urged to pay as soon as possible in order to avoid the last minute rush. 

 

4. OTHER FEES

Please note that other fees will be applicable with effect from 1 January 2017, as stipulated on the government gazette published on 29 June 2016.

 

 

(Signed)

Ms SA Mchunu
Acting Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council

 

8 March 2016

TO:	National Departments of Health
	Provincial Departments of Health
	Health Establishments
	Nursing Education Institutions
	Nursing Stakeholders

 

SANC AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL – EASTER HOLIDAYS CLOSURE: 24th – 28th March 2016

 

Please be informed that the South African Nursing Council (SANC) offices will be closed from Thursday, 24th March 2016 at 12:00 and re – opens on Tuesday, 29 March 2016 at 8:00. 

Kindly inform all persons in your institutions so that they are aware in advance of the dates the Council will be closed.

We wish you safe Easter holidays.

 

Sincerely,

(Signed)

Mrs T Manganye
Acting Registrar and CEO
South African Nursing Council