20 September 2010

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL EXAMINATIONS:

Compliance with Provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005 and the Regulations Relating to Examinations of the South African Nursing Council

1.    This office is inundated with appeals for late application into examination and application for retrospective publications of practical marks.  Due to logistics and security measures required in the planning and execution of each examination, these requests can no longer be allowed.  Furthermore, in view of the recent leaks of examination papers and our quest to improve service delivery, in particular security measures in all examinations conducted by the South African Nursing Council (SANC), strict adherence to examination regulations and policy has become mandatory without any exceptions.

2.    Nursing Education Institutions are therefore reminded of the provisions in Government Notice No. R.7 of 8 January 1983 (as amended) to strictly adhere to the closing dates for examinations and that only registered student/pupils will be eligible to enter for an examination conducted by SANC as indicated below:

“4. (1)    A candidate shall submit to the Council an application for admission to an examination not later than the seventh day of the month, three months prior to the month in which the examination is to be conducted.

(2)    An application for admission to an examination submitted later than the date referred to in subregulation (1) may be accepted by the council-

(a)    if it is submitted within seven days of the date referred to in subregulation (1) and is accompanied by the late entry fee prescribed by regulation 16(c); or

(b)    if, in the case of a candidate who has failed one or more portions of an examination but who qualifies for a further examination, it is submitted before or on the date which shall be published together with the results of the examination in which the candidate failed, in which case no late entry fee shall be payable.”  This clause is only applicable to candidates who failed examination for the first time.

“8. (1)    The nursing school shall submit to the council the percentage marks obtained by candidates in the practical portion prescribed by the regulations for the course concerned on the official mark sheet for the practical portion supplied by the council before or on the last day of the month in which the written examination takes place, and such mark sheet shall be signed by the person in charge of the nursing school.”  There will be no retrospective publication of practical marks.

3.    This Circular (7/2010) serves to inform Nursing Education Institutions that the South African Nursing Council will hence forth only process application for admission to an examination as prescribed by the examination regulations cited above.

4.    The contents of this circular must be brought to the attention of all nurses including learners.

(Signed)
Mr T Mabuda
Registrar & CEO
South African Nursing Council

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

Disclaimer

30 July 2010

Cancellation of the Bridging Course For Enrolled Nurses Leading To Registration As A General Nurse Paper 2 Scheduled for 30 July 2010

The South African Nursing Council regrets that due to a serious breach in security it has had to cancel the above stated examination.

The South African Nursing Council learnt on 29 July 2010 that the examination papers that were sent to invigilators were intercepted and some learners had access to the examination papers prior to date on which they were due to write the examination.

In these circumstances the Council had no option but to take the decision to cancel the examination.  Furthermore we only learnt of the breach in security on 29 July 2010 which was a day after the First Paper for this programme was written on 28 July 2010.

The Council will be reconvening the above mentioned examination on 27 August 2010.  The Council needs some time to put in place tighter security measures to prevent the recurrence of such an incident in future examinations.

Kindly ensure that all the learners are duly informed of the situation and the new date of examination.  We also appeal to the learners not to contact the Council directly regarding this situation.

We sincerely regret the inconvenience and disruption this has caused the learners and the education institutions, your support and understanding in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Signed
Tendani Mabuda
Registrar

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

Disclaimer

19 July 2010

Community Service Update

Attached, please find updated copies of:

Community Service Guide (this form has since been replaced)

Community Service forms (these form have since been replaced)

The updated documents include the following updates and/or corrections:

1. Update the amount of the registration fee on application to commence community service to R150 on both the local and foreign application forms and in the guide;
2. Insert details of the R300 registration fees that are payable on completion of community service on the completion notice and in the guide; and
3. Other minor typographical and administrative changes including the provision to make payments at the Council offices by means of Credit/Debit Cards.

Please use these new forms and guide in future.

Please direct any queries regarding this circular or the attached SANC Guide to:

Manager: Registrations

Tel      012 420-1000
Fax     012 343-5400
Email  [email protected]

(Signed)
Mr T Mabuda
Registrar
South African Nursing Council

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

Disclaimer

30 June 2010

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

Attached, please find a copy of the document:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Disclaimer

30 June 2010

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

1. PURPOSE OF THE CIRCULAR

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

2. PHASING OUT OF THE LEGACY NURSING QUALIFICATIONS

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

3. PROMULGATION OF THE NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK Act, 2008

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

4. NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

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

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

5. INTERIM MANAGEMENT OF APPLICATIONS BEFORE JUNE 2012

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

5.1 Applications for Accreditation of New Institutions as Nursing Education Institutions

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

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

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

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

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

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

5.4 Application for new campuses

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

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

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

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

6. STATUS OF THE NQF-REGISTERED NURSING QUALIFICATIONS

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

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

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

8. STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATION

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

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

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

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

Sincerely

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

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

Disclaimer

30 June 2010

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

PURPOSE OF CIRCULAR

The purpose of this circular is to:

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

1. ANNUAL AND RESTORATION FEES FOR 2011

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

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

Notes:

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

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

Notes:

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

2. DEBIT AND CREDIT CARD FACILITIES

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

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

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

3. REQUIREMENTS WHEN PAYING BY CHEQUE

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

Signed
Ms S A Mchunu
Acting Registrar
South African Nursing Council

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

Disclaimer

10 February 2010

Status of Registered Certificate Courses Achieved Prior to the Repeal of the Regulations for those Courses on 17 August 1985

This circular applies to:

	Certificate in Renal Nursing (R. 670 of 31 March 1983 as amended)
	Certificate in Stoma Care Nursing (R. 670 of 31 March 1983 as amended)
	Certificate in Occupational Health Nursing (R. 238 of 13 February 1981 as amended)
	Certificate in Spinal Injury Nursing Science (R. 237 of 13 February 1981 as amended)

It has become apparent that, following the issuing of Council Circular 2/2007, the status of the abovementioned qualifications may not be well understood. This circular is being issued to clarify Council’s position regarding these qualifications.

Training for the above certificate courses was conducted in accordance with regulations of the Council at training providers approved to offer the programmes in accordance with the provisions of those regulations. Because the courses did not constitute a full year programme, a Diploma was not issued on successful completion of the course. Instead, the successful candidates were only issued a Certificate of Registration of the Additional Qualification.

These certificate courses therefore constitute Registered Additional Qualifications and, as such Circular 2/2007 (that deals with Listed Courses) does not apply to these qualifications. The abovementioned additional qualifications remains registered after the names of those nurses who achieved them – nothing has changed to affect this.

All queries in respect of this circular must be directed to the manager for the Registration Sections at the following number:

012 426-9599 (Registration)

Signed
S A Mchunu (Ms)
Acting Registrar

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

Disclaimer

11 December 2009

South African Nursing Council – Year End Closure

24 December 2009 – 4 January 2010

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) offices will be closed at the year end on 24 December 2009 at 12:00 and re-opens at 08:00 on 4 January 2010.

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

Inquiries regarding this circular may be directed to Ms Party-Day Moloi on 012 426 9542.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Signed
MS S A MCHUNU

Acting Registrar and CEO
S A Nursing Council

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

Disclaimer

1 December 2009

South African Nursing Council
Examination Schedule – 2010

Click here to see the Examination Schedule for 2010.

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

1. The closing date for examination should be strictly adhered to and no exceptions or allowances will be made to extend these dates. 

2. Only registered students/pupils will be eligible to enter for an examination:  The Head of the nursing education institution must ensure that all students/pupils are registered with the Council within the prescribed period (this does not apply to candidates writing the Admission Examination for Enrolled Nursing or the Admission Examination for Foreign Nurses, or to Refugee Nurses writing any Council examination).

3. The Council will only process examination applications for entry into the Council examinations that meet the following requirements:

a)    Submitted on the Council’s Application for Examination Form which is completed in full and signed by the relevant person/s.  (The name/s and surname as appearing in the identity document.)

b)    Accompanied by the prescribed fee or proof of payment of the fee into the Council’s bank account, such payment should be done by the Nursing Education Institution (NEI) (group payment) and not by individual students/pupils.  The latter delays processing of applications as some payments are outstanding at the time of processing:  Banking details are as follows: 

 c)    All the required documentation to be included.

4. Only those students/pupils that have been issued an examination timetable number will be eligible to write Council examinations.

5. All practical MARK SHEETS must be submitted to Council by Registered Mail by the end of the month in which the examination is written. Examination results will be published without the practical marks if the PRACTICAL MARK SHEETS as per SANC format are not submitted on time, the results will be incomplete as such disadvantages the candidate.

6. The SANC requests the NEIs not to coerce the invigilator/s to enclose the practical mark sheet or any other document with the Examination package.

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

8. The SANC requests the NEIs to inform all their learners of the outcome of the examination results once published.  Learners to refrain from contacting the Council to enquire about examination results.  No examination results will be given to NEIs electronically.

9. In respect of the Admission Examination for the Course Leading to Enrolment as Nurse, the NEI has a responsibility to identify a learner/s who cannot be admitted into the second year of the Course Leading to Enrolment as Nurse (R.2175) before the learner has written and successfully passed the admission examination for the R.2175 course.  No learner/s shall be allowed to write the Final year examination of the R.2175 course before they have passed either the First Year examination R.2175, the Auxiliary examination R.2176, or the Admission examination for R.2175.

Signed
MS S A MCHUNU
ACTING REGISTRAR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
S A NURSING COUNCIL 

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

Disclaimer

30 October 2009

DISRUPTION OF SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL SERVICES DUE TO ON-GOING INDUSTRIAL ACTION

Please be advised that services at the office of South African Nursing Council are being severely hampered by the current strike/lock out over salary negotiations. This has particularly affected clients arriving at the Nursing Council building who have been prevented from entering the building by striking workers and/or who have been unable to receive attention because of the absence of staff to assist them.

Both parties are committed to resolving the dispute as soon as possible in order that services can be resumed and to this end, on-going negotiations are proceeding. You will be notified once the industrial action ends and full services resume.

In the interim you are encouraged to make use of the following services that will still be available:

	The Council email ([email protected]) and general fax (012 343-5400) systems will continue to receive messages and application forms, etc.
	Council call centre (012 420-1000) will be taking a limited number of calls – but please make use of fax of email if possible so that the call centre is not overloaded.
	Payments can be made into the Council bank account – particularly those that must be paid by a specified due date. Always remember to quote your Council number as the payment reference.
	The eRegister system ( www.sanc.co.za/eRegister.aspx ) will continue to operate and will be updated on Tuesday evenings – however with limited changes and new registrations being processed, this may not help new applicants.

South African Nursing Council appreciates the patience and cooperation demonstrated by its many clients who have been affected by the industrial action and apologizes for the inconvenience that you may have experienced.

Signed
MS S A Mchunu
Acting Registrar and CEO

FOOTNOTES:

1. The industrial action at Nursing Council offices ended on 2 November 2009.
2. Due to the urgency of this matter and the shortage of staff, this circular was not posted to Stakeholders as is usually the case.  It was emailed/faxed to as many stakeholders as was possible and whose email addresses/fax numbers Council could trace.

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

Disclaimer