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 Accreditation@sanc.co.za
     
2. Senior Manager: Provider Affairs (Education & Training)
   Tel 012 420-1022
   E-mail ProviderAffairs@sanc.co.za
    

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 (registrar@sanc.co.za) 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

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW NURSING QUALIFICATIONS REGISTERED ON THE NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK (NQF)

(a)    Professional nurse

(b)    Midwife (c)    Staff nurse (d)    Auxiliary nurse (e)    Auxiliary midwife

1. National Certificate: Auxiliary Nursing. This qualification leads to registration as an auxiliary nurse. This qualification is recorded as level 3 of the NQF and will therefore be offered by accredited Further Education & Training Institutions (FETIs).
2. National Diploma: Nursing. This qualification leads to registration as a staff nurse
3. Bachelor of Nursing. This qualification leads to registration as a professional nurse
4. Masters Certificate: Nursing (16 electives)
5. Masters of Nursing (degree) (17 electives) The seventeenth elective in this qualification is research, an essential for a masters degree qualification.

5.1    Elective 1: Orthopaedic Nursing 5.2    Elective 2: Operating Theatre Nursing 5.3    Elective 3: Palliative and Oncology Nursing 5.4    Elective 4: Ophthalmic Nursing 5.5    Elective 5: Emergency Nursing 5.6    Elective 6: Occupational Health Nursing 5.7    Elective 7: Nephrology Nursing 5.8    Elective 8: Paediatric Nursing 5.9    Elective 9: Critical Care Nursing (adult) 5.10  Elective 10: Critical Care Nursing 5.11  Elective 11: Psychiatric Nursing 5.12  Elective 12: Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing 5.13  Elective 13: Community Health Nursing 5.14  Elective 14: Nursing and Health Services Management 5.15  Elective 15: Nursing Education 5.16  Elective 16: Family Practice

2.1.    PHASING-OUT OF THE LEGACY NURSING QUALIFICATIONS 

The following qualifications that existed prior to the creation of the NQF are recorded as legacy qualifications on the NQF:

2.1.1.    Course leading to Enrolment as Nursing Auxiliary. This qualification is replaced by the National Certificate: Auxiliary Nursing.

2.1.2.    Course leading to Enrolment as a Nurse. This qualification has no equivalent replacement.

2.1.3.    Bridging Course for Enrolled Nurses leading to registration as a Nurse. This qualification has no replacement.

2.1.4.    Course for the Diploma in Midwifery for registration as a Midwife. This qualification has no replacement.

2.1.5.    Course for the Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing for registration as a Psychiatric Nurse. This qualification has no replacement.

2.1.6.    Comprehensive Nursing leading to registration as a Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife. This qualification is replaced by the Bachelor of Nursing

2.1.7.    Course for the Diploma in Nursing Administration.

2.1.8.    Course for the Diploma in Unit Management for Registered Nurses.

2.1.9.    Course for registration of an additional qualification in Nursing Education.

2.1.10.    Course for the Diploma in Community Health Nursing.

2.1.11.    Course leading to registration as a Nurse(General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife.

2.1.12.    Course for the Diploma in Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment, Treatment and Care.

2.1.13.    Post-basic qualifications. These are replaced by the sixteen electives in the Masters Certificate: Nursing and Masters of Nursing that will yield a professional registration in a specialized area of practice.

The expiry date of registration of the above-mentioned legacy qualifications on the NQF is 30 June 2010.

2.2    IMPLICATIONS FOR PROVIDERS THAT WERE APPROVED FOR THE ABOVE-MENTIONED LEGACY QUALIFICATIONS IN TERMS OF THE NURSING ACT, 1978 (Act No. 50 of 1978) 

The final intake date for the legacy qualifications by the approved providers of nursing education and training is 30 June 2010. Providers will not admit any learner for a legacy qualification after this final intake date.

Further, the Council will not register or enroll any person for a legacy qualification, who commences education and training after 30 June 2010. 

The teach-out period (end achievement date) for all legacy qualifications will be the prescribed duration of the course of study, with an allowance of an additional period not exceeding two years for learners who were registered or enrolled by 30 June 2010.

3.1.    BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

Providers wishing to offer a learning programme for any of the new qualifications registered on the NQF that lead to registration of a person in a category stipulated in section 31 of the Nursing Act, 2005, must apply for accreditation to the South African Nursing Council. Although providers may commence with the development of their curricula based on the qualifications requirements, the SANC can only assess and evaluate the curricula for the new qualifications once the regulatory prescripts for registration of a person in terms of section 31 of the Nursing Act, 2005, are in place.

SANC will therefore not accept any applications for accreditation from providers prior to the finalization of these regulatory prescripts.

SANC is currently finalizing the regulations that prescribe the minimum requirements for each of the categories of nurse provided for in section 31 of the Nursing Act, 2005 as well as the regulations that prescribe the accreditation standards, criteria and requirements that providers must comply with.

Without these regulations, SANC is unable to accredit any provider to offer any new qualification registered on the NQF as these regulations are aligned to the new categories of nurse and the new scopes of practice which require the minimum requirements to be prescribed in regulations. SANC anticipates that the new regulations will be in place by the third quarter of 2009.

The implementation date for the new qualifications registered on the NQF will be in and around 2011 and as this date is dependent on the availability of the regulations mentioned earlier, the actual date in 2011 will be published in a notice in the Government Gazette.

3.2    IMPLICATIONS FOR PROVIDERS OF BASIC NURSING QUALIFICATIONS

Providers that intend to offer any of the above-mentioned qualifications may commence with curriculum development using the content of the qualification, with the understanding that regulations will provide new prescripts for education and training requirements of each of the affected training programmes.

Regulations for basic qualifications are currently in progress but not yet promulgated.

The curriculum for each new qualification will have to be in line with the above-mentioned regulations that relate to minimum requirements for education and training for each category of nurse provided for in section 31 of the Nursing Act, 2005 and regulations relating to accreditation of institutions as nursing institutions, once these are promulgated.

NB:    During the interim period Council will not accept or review any curricula until the regulations are finalized.

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

Disclaimer

15 January 2009

Update on Community Service

A number of issues have arisen as a result of nurses who are completing Community Service. South African Nursing Council urges you to take note of the matters clarified below as this will reduce the confusion and resulting delays.

What happens on completion of Community Service

Once a nurse has completed the 12 month period of Community Service, he/she may be registered as Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife. In order for these registrations to be effected, the correct procedure must be followed.

1. The head of the public health establishment must submit a completion report with a declaration signed by both the head of the establishment and Provincial Coordinator for Community Service to the Nursing Council.
2. The completion report referred to in 1 (above) must be submitted on the form obtainable from the Nursing Council for that purpose. Forms can also be downloaded and printed from the Nursing Council website (www.sanc.co.za).
3. The completion report must be submitted to the Nursing Council within 30 days of completion of community service.
4. Registration fees of R300-00 must be paid to the Council (R150-00 for registration in the category Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and R150-00 for registration in the category Midwife).

Please note that some nurses paid additional registration fees to cover these amounts at the time when they were registered in the category Community Service. Others may have paid part of the additional registration fees at that time. PLEASE CHECK BEFORE MAKING PAYMENT!

If all of the community service requirements mentioned above are in order, the Nursing Council will delete the registration in the category Community Service from its register and will register the practitioner as Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife with effect from the end of the month in which Community Service was completed.

Annual Practising Certificates – Query regarding the expiry date shown in respect of registration in the category Community Service

There have been a number of queries about the expiry date of the Community Service registration as shown on the Annual Practising Certificate for 2009. These nurses commenced Community Service on 1 January 2008 and if everything has gone well will have completed Community Service on 31 December 2008. Given this situation, the query is then raised as to why the Annual Practising Certificate shows the expiry date of the Community Service registration as 31 December 2009?

In fact, 31 December 2009 is quite correct. The reason is simply that a nurse is given TWO years in which to complete the period of community service – and is registered in that capacity for the full two year period (i.e. in this case from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2009).

SANC will continue to show the end of the TWO year period as the expiry date of the Community Service registration until such time as the completion of Community Service record is received by the Council.

Annual Practising Certificates – “Updating” is not generally a necessity under the Nursing Act, 2005

Nurses doing Community Service who have already paid the Annual Fee for 2009 will have been issued an Annual Practising Certificate that shows that they are registered in the category Community Service. When these nurses complete their Community Service and are registered as Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife, they may feel that it is necessary to update their Annual Practising Certificate to reflect these new categories. In fact, some employers may insist on this “updating”.

This is generally unnecessary. The Nursing Act, 2005 makes it quite clear that a registration certificate is proof of registration for a period of 12 months from the date of registration shown on the certificate. For nurses who are completing Community Service at the end of December, 2008, the certificates of registration in the categories Nurse and Midwife will be dated 31 December 2008 and will be proof of registration in these categories up to 31 December 2009.

Signed
Hasina Subedar
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer 

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

Disclaimer

4 December 2008

South African Nursing Council – Year End Closure

22 December 2008 – 2 January 2009

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) offices will be closed at the year end from 22 December 2008 to 2 January 2009.

The SANC offices will reopen at 08:00 on 5 January 2009.

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

We apologise in advance for any inconvenience that this arrangement may cause you.

Signed
Ms H Subedar

Registrar and CEO
S A Nursing Council

Contact person regarding enquiries about this circular:  Ms Party-day Moloi

Telephone 012 426 9542

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

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