26 October 2007

1. Transitional Arrangements on Recurriculation

2. Application for Approval of Retrospective Registration as a Learner and Retrospective Exemption from an Already Acquired Professional Registration

3. Admission to the Second Academic Year of the Course Leading to Enrolment as a Nurse (Government Notice No. R.2175 of 19 November 1993)

4. Compliance with Provisions of the Nursing Act, 2005 and Regulations

1.    RECURRICULATION

1.1    Introduction

Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) are required to review their curricula every five (5) years and submit these to the South African Nursing Council for approval

Currently there are legacy and provider qualifications registered by both SANC and NEIs on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)

Further, two Standard Generated Body (SGB) – generated qualifications are already registered on the NQF i.e.

	National Certificate: Auxiliary Nursing
	Further Education and Training Certificate: Nursing

There is no implementation directive from the Council in respect of these qualifications as yet, but the profession will be kept informed should this status change

1.2    Transitional Arrangements

In view of the above, the Council at its meeting held on 20 and 21 April 2007 resolved that recurriculation for submission to Council be put in abeyance until the transitional arrangements in line with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)’s requirements are communicated to NEIs by the Council.

Programmes that are affected by this arrangement are the following:

	Course leading to enrolment as a nursing auxiliary (Government Notice No. R. 2176 of 19 November 1993 as amended)
	Course leading to enrolment as a nurse (Government Notice No. R.2175 of 19 November 1993 as amended)
	Bridging course for enrolled nurses leading to registration as a general nurse or psychiatric nurse (Government Notice No. R.683 of 14 April 1989 as amended)
	Education and training of a nurse (general, psychiatric and community) and midwife leading to registration (Government Notice No. R.425 of 22 February 1985)

This arrangement does not affect post basic/registration programmes

2.    Applications for approval of retrospective registration of learners and retrospective exemption from learning content contained in an already acquired professional registration

2.1    Application for approval of retrospective registration as a learner

On submission of completion of training records, the Council has observed that some NEIs fail to register learners at commencement of training as prescribed

This is a violation of regulations regarding:

	Registers for students (Government Notice No. R.3735 of 14 November 1969)
	Rolls for pupils (Government Notice No. R.3736 of 14 November 1969)
	Rolls for pupil nursing auxiliaries (Government Notice No. R.1833 of 20 October 1972)

Adherence to the provisions of the above mentioned regulations as well as provision of section 16 (1) of the Nursing Act, 1978 (Act No. 50 of 1978) is mandatory and failure to comply constitutes an offence.

Programmes for which learners need to be registered with the Council on commencement of training are as follows:

	R.880 2 May 1975 Regulations for the course for the diploma in psychiatric nursing for registration as a psychiatric nurse
	R.254 14 February 1975 Regulations for the course for the diploma in midwifery for registration as a midwife
	R.2175 19 November 1993 Regulations relating to the course leading to enrolment as a nurse
	R.2176 19 November 1993 Regulations relating to the course leading to enrolment as a nursing auxiliary
	R.425 22 February 1985 Regulations relating to the approval of and the minimum requirements for the education and training of a nurse (general, psychiatric and community) and midwife leading to registration
	R.683 14 April 1989 Regulations relating to the minimum requirements for a bridging course for enrolled nurses leading to registration as a general nurse or psychiatric nurse
	R.276 15 February 1980 Regulations for the course for the diploma in nursing administration
	R.48 22 January 1980 Regulations for the diploma in Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment, Treatment and Care

2.2    Exemption in respect of already acquired professional registration within the course leading to registration as a nurse (general, psychiatric and community) and midwife

Where a learner commences a course of study in terms of Regulations relating to the Approval of and the Minimum Requirements for the Education and Training of a nurse (general, psychiatric and community) and midwife leading to registration, and such learner has one of the above registered against his/her name, the following is requested:

	A clear indication of such a professional registration at the time of commencement of the course. (the name of the professional registration e.g. one year diploma in midwifery, should be clear )
	Date of registration and certificate number
	Intended/proposed duration of training in the intended/new course of study

3.    Admission to the second academic year of the course leading to enrolment as a nurse (Government Notice No. R. 2175 of 19 November 1993)

Regulation 10 (1) of the Regulations relating to the course leading to enrolment as a nurse, (Government Notice No. R.2175 of 19 November 1993), gives provisions for admission into the second academic year of this course i.e. passing the first year examination specified in these regulations or exemption in terms of regulation 7 of these regulations

It has been observed with concern that some schools admit learners into this level of the course without ensuring that the above mentioned provision is adhered to. This mostly affects enrolled nursing auxiliaries who underwent the course for the certification for enrolment as a nursing assistant in terms of Government Notice No. R.1834 of 20 October 1972. The duration of this course of study was one hundred (100) days minimum, and is not a direct equivalence of the course regulated by Government Notice No. R.2176 of 19 November 1993.

For this reason, the Council put together an upgrading package that is available for use by schools to prepare such candidates for the admission examination for the course leading to enrolment as a nurse. You are reminded that these are mere guidelines that can be adapted to suite current learning towards fulfillment of the desired outcomes of this course

The duration of such an upgrading course is determined by the school and the learner’s readiness to sit for such an examination.

You are therefore reminded that it is the responsibility of the school to identify and ensure that candidates are assisted throughout the process

4.    Compliance with provisions of the Nursing Act and Regulations

It is the responsibility of the school to acquire and keep the above especially those pertaining to the programmes your school offers.

It is hoped that this information will assist your school.

5.    Enquiries

Should further clarity be sought on the above matters, enquiries can be directed to the managers of Accreditation, Registration and Examinations

Your cooperation is always appreciated.

Yours sincerely

 (Signed)
S A Mchunu
Deputy Registrar: Professional Affairs
For Acting Registrar and Chief Executive Officer

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

Disclaimer

13 June 2007

Processing of Applications for:

	Registration with the South African Nursing Council prior to successful completion of the four-year programme covered by the Regulations Relating to the Approval of and the Minimum Requirements for the Education and Training of a Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife Leading to Registration (Government Notice No. R.425 of 22 February 1985)
	Re-entry into the Council examination to rewrite failed examination papers/portions

1.    Background

1.1    Requirements for Registration

The Nursing Act, 1978 (Act No. 50 of 1978) specifies the requirements necessary to practice in any category of nursing. These include the certificate of a qualification in support of documents submitted with the application for registration.

In accordance with the Regulations relating to the approval of and the minimum requirements for the Education and Training of a Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife (Government Notice No. R.425 of 22 February 1985) as amended, conditions for registration (admission to the register) include:

	successful completion of the course/programme
	complying with the programme objectives/outcomes
	any other requirements for the award of the qualifications concerned.

1.2    National Qualifications Framework NQF Council’s response to Objectives and Principles of the NQF

In 1999, the South African Nursing Council responded to a national call for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in line with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) policy on retention of credits.

It approved issuing of certificates of professional registration for learners who had not successfully completed the course and had not acquired an academic qualification from their respective training institutions.

The purpose and spirit of such a concession was to assist learners who had undergone the whole programme and exhausted the legislated duration of the course, including provider concessions but had not passed all the subjects/courses of the programme to qualify for registration as a Nurse (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwife.

2.    Problems and Implications

An undesirable trend has developed over years, where learners abandon the programme without registering for all the courses and before completion or fulfillment of requirements of all sub-disciplines within the four year programme.

Such a practice is not in line with the initial purpose and spirit for which this concession was put in place in 1999.

The observed adverse effects are as follows:

	Compromised registration of some components of this programme i.e. Midwifery and Psychiatric Nursing Science. This directly affects service delivery in respect of these areas.
	Issuing of a Certificate of Registration by the Council without the learner having achieved a qualification affects the learner’s employability outside South Africa and raises indictment issues on the quality of nursing education in South Africa.

3.    Purpose of this policy framework

The purpose of this document is to:

	create a legitimate route towards professional registration, supported by programme regulations
	put in place a transitional arrangement until the new qualifications in line with the new Scope of Practice are available and registered on the NQF.
	outline a process of re-entry into the Council examinations to re-write final examination papers/portions
	waiver all previous communications in respect of this concession, following termination of the four year programme and re-writing of examinations

4.    Process of handling applications for registration/enrolment

Upon termination of training from this programme the following provisions shall be observed towards registration and enrolment:

4.1    Enrolment as a Nursing Auxiliary

This will be carried out administratively in accordance with the exemption provisions of the Regulations relating to the course leading to enrolment as a Nursing Auxiliary (Government Notice No. R.2176 of 19 November 1993, Section 7 (1)):

Conditions and Requirements are as follows:

	application shall be considered if it is within 5 years of termination of training
	declaration from the person in charge of school certifying that the theoretical and practical requirements equivalent to the requirements of the regulations published under Government Notice No. R.2176 of 19 November 1993 have been attained
	completion of at least one year training of the four-year course
	the candidate must have passed an examination in General Nursing Science and Art I
	completion of at least 1000 hours of clinical practica
	record of training shall be submitted to the Council by the relevant nursing school
	completed form for registration/enrolment
	payment of prescribed fee

4.2    Enrolment as a Nurse

This will be processed administratively in accordance with exemption provisions of the Regulations for the course leading to enrolment as a Nurse (Government Notice No. R.2175 of 22 November 1993, Section 7(1))

Conditions and Requirements:

	application will be considered if it is within 5 years of termination of training
	completed form for registration/enrolment
	payment of prescribed fee
	certificate (declaration) from person in charge of school on attainment of the theoretical and practical requirements equivalent to the requirements of the regulations published under Government Notice No. R.2175 of 22 November 1993
	completion of at least two years of the four-year course
	the candidate must have passed an examination in General Nursing Science and Art II or its equivalent
	completion of at least 2000 hours of clinical practica
	record of training shall be submitted to the Council by the relevant nursing school

4.3    Registration as a Nurse

There are no regulations providing for such registration following termination of training from the four-year programme.

The result is that no academic qualification can be awarded by the nursing education institution on termination of training

The following process will therefore be followed on termination of training after the third year or during the fourth year of training, or at the end of the fourth year where outcomes of the course have not been achieved:

4.3.1    Enrolment as a nurse

4.3.2    Approved school shall, upon receipt of an application to the school by the learner:

Register (Restore) the candidate as a learner into the Bridging Course (Government Notice No. R.683 of 14 April 1989) in order to give a legitimate student status. This will be done in accordance with regulations regarding registers for students i.e. Government Notice No. R.3735 of 14 November 1968 as well as provisions of Government Notice No. R.683 of 14 April 1989.

NB: Termination of Training Record must be submitted for the four year course as restoration cannot be effected on the Council’s system if the candidate is still registered as a learner in another programme.

Evaluate accumulated knowledge and skills through a formalized RPL process by comparing with the subject content (learning outcomes) of the Bridging Course for Enrolled Nurses leading to Registration as a General Nurse (Government Notice No. R.683 of 14 April 1989)

4.3.3    Progress of learners:

If the:

	Evaluation reflects that requirements for registration as a general nurse have been fulfilled: the school submits practical marks in line with requirements of the course the candidate may challenge the final examination of the Bridging Course for Enrolled Nurses, towards registration as a Nurse
	Evaluation reflects gaps in terms of subject content: facilitation to close gaps will be undertaken by the school. duration of academic support will depend on identified gaps (compiled portfolio of evidence is kept by the school).

4.3.4 Submission to the Council by the School:

	Completed application form for resumption of training, at resumption of training
	Applicable fee (restoration as a student)
	Application for entry into final examination of the Bridging Course, if the student qualifies for immediate entry into examinations
	Practical assessment marks
	Declaration from the person in charge of the school that outcomes of the Bridging Course have been met either during the four year course or during the facilitation phase of RPL process at the school

NB: Time Frame:

Application will be accepted within three (3) years after termination of training. This requirement is due to rapid changes in education.

5.    Registration of single supplementary basic qualification(s)

	No further single registration except General Nursing ( through the Bridging Course ) shall be granted after termination of training from the four-year programme
	Single qualifications such as Midwifery, Psychiatry and Community Health Nursing shall be pursued separately after registration as a General Nurse and in accordance with relevant regulation(s) for each programme. In such cases, principles of RPL will be implemented where some of the minimum requirements as set out in the relevant regulations were fulfilled within the four year programme.
	This will ensure portability of credits and avoid repetition of learning content already covered.

6.    Re-writing of failed examination papers/portions

A candidate who has failed a portion/paper in the Council examination for the first time follows the process outlined below:

	Re-entry into any of the two consecutive examinations after publication of the examination results
	An examination application form and prescribed fee must be submitted to the Council.
	These submissions must be made within the prescribed time frames
	Credits of the passed portion/paper will be retained
	A candidate who has failed twice may be offered academic support by the Nursing Education Institution (NEI) in preparation for the third re-entry into an examination.  The school will keep and maintain records of such academic support
	A candidate who after three attempts (full academic year) fails the examination, reregisters for the course and resumes training.

7.    Conclusion:

This policy revokes all other communication and policies in respect of the above concession following termination of training and in respect of rewriting of Council examinations

8.    Implementation:

The implementation date of this policy framework is 01 January 2008.

Any enquiries regarding this matter may be referred to

Deputy Registrar – Professional Affairs (Telephone: 012 420-1059)

OR

Manager – Examination/Registration Section (Telephone: 012 420-1044)

Email: [email protected]

Your cooperation in this regard will be appreciated.

(Signed)
S A Mchunu (Ms)
for Registrar and Chief Executive Officer

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

Disclaimer

7 May 2007

Appointment of Acting Registrar and CEO of the South African Nursing Council

The term of office of the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the South African Nursing Council came to an end on 31 March 2007.  Consequently, the Acting Minister of Health, Minister J T Radebe, has appointed and Acting Registrar and CEO to serve the Nursing Council until such time as a new Registrar is appointed.  The appointment was made in terms of Section 18(1) of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005).

Ms Thandi Manganye was appointed as Acting Registrar and CEO of the South African Nursing Council on 10 April 2007.  Ms Manganye has served on the Nursing Council for some years as a Council Member and is therefore well acquainted with the requirements of her new position.

Signed
Herman Dikobe
For Acting Registrar and Chief Executive Officer 

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

Disclaimer

30 March 2007

Issuing of Student Cards to all Learners who are Registered/Enrolled with the South African Nursing Council

The Council will shortly be sending out Student Cards for all learners who are registered or enrolled with the Nursing Council to follow a programme at an approved Nursing Education Institution. In future, these cards will be sent out on registration or enrolment of new learners.

Nursing Education Institutions are required to distribute the cards to the learners as soon as they are received and to ensure that the learners immediately sign their cards in the space provided. Institutions should encourage learners to carry the card with them at all times, but particularly when in a clinical situation.

The purpose of the Student Card is to generate awareness about the importance of quality assurance in nursing education and training among learners. As the ETQA (Education and Training Quality Assurance body) for all nursing education programmes, the Nursing Council is responsible to ensure that learners receive nursing education that meets the required standards – in terms of both the Nursing Act and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Act. The Nursing Council does this by accrediting both the nursing programmes and the institutions that provide the programmes. In the future, the Nursing Council will also be conducting auditing of the Nursing Education Institutions to make sure (among other things) that the necessary quality control systems are in place.

The Student Card will serve as proof that the learner is registered/enrolled with the Nursing Council and that he/she is following an accredited course at an accredited nursing education institution. This will give the learner confidence that, on successful completion of the course, his/her training will be recognised by the Nursing Council. The cards may also serve to alert a learner who does not receive a card that he/she may be training at an institution that is not accredited by the Nursing Council.

Signed
Sizeni Mchunu
For Registrar and Chief Executive Officer 

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

Disclaimer

23 March 2007

Proclamation of Commencement of Sections of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005)

The State President has proclaimed some sections of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005) with effect from 15 December 2006.

Attached, please find a copy of the proclamation notice.

The sections of the Act that are proclaimed by this notice and are now in effect are:

    Sections 1 to 4; 8; 11; 13; 17 to 29; 30; 31; 37; 40; 58; 59; 61 and 62.

How does this Proclamation affect the profession?

The implementation of Sections 1 to 4; 8; 11; 13; 17 to 29; 58; 59; and 62 do not have a direct bearing on individual nurses. These sections pertain to the functioning of South African Nursing Council and makes provision for the Minister to make new Regulations and for the Council to make new Rules.

The proclamation of Sections 30, 31, 37, 40 and 61 does affect individual nurses and the implementation of each of these sections is explained further. 

1. Implementation of Sections 30 and 31

The implementation of Section 30 pertaining to the Scope of profession and practice of nursing and Section 31 pertaining to Registration as prerequisite to practise is dependant on the publications of new regulations.  It is important to note that until new Regulations are passed to replace the existing Regulations, the scope of practice, categories and titles of nurses, and the registration of nurses will continue to be regulated by existing Regulations. This effectively implies that until new Regulations are passed:

nurses registered or enrolled prior to the proclamation of the Act will continue to function in the categories in which they are registered or enrolled to practise,

nurses will continue to use their existing titles; 

the scope of practice for all existing categories of nurses will remain unchanged; and

new registrations or enrolments will be in accordance with the requirements of existing regulations.

2. Implementation of Section 37: Receipt as Proof

This section does not require new Regulations and is immediately applicable. The section makes provision for the recognition of the “Annual Receipt and Licence to Practice” issued by the Council as proof of your registration or enrolment with the Council or if such receipt is lost a confirmation letter signed by the registrar. Please note that only a receipt that states “Annual Receipt and Licence to Practice” is valid for practice.

 NB: An ordinary receipt issued by the Council for receipt of money is not a valid “Annual Receipt and Licence to Practice” and does not entitle a person to practice. Such a receipt only acknowledges a payment made.

3. Implementation of Section 40: Community Service

Section 40 of the Act pertaining to Community Service will be fully implemented when Regulations are passed to give effect to this section. Draft Regulations were already published for public comment in October 2006 and the Regulations will be published in their final form shortly. The Department of Health and the SANC will jointly communicate the details regarding the implementation of community service.

4. Implementation of Section 61: Transitional Provisions

“61 (1) Any proclamation, notice, regulation, authorisation or order issued, made or granted, any registration or enrolment, any removal from a register or roll or any appointment or any other thing done in terms of a provision of any law repealed by section 60(1) is, unless inconsistent with any provision of this Act, deemed to have been issued, made, granted or done under the corresponding provision of this Act.”

The effect of this section is that all existing regulations, registrations, enrolments, removals or any order made in terms of the Nursing Act, 1978 (Act No. 50 of 1978) as amended are still applicable until such time that they are repealed.

You will be kept informed of all further developments regarding the implementation of the Nursing Act through regular communication.

Printed copies of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005) can be purchased from the Council or from the Government Printers. An electronic (PDF) version can also be found on the Council website at the following location:

www.sanc.co.za/regulations 

Signed
HASINA SUBEDAR
REGISTRAR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

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

Disclaimer

6 March 2007

Discontinuation of Listing of Short Courses by the South African Nursing Council

1. The South African Nursing Council (SANC) had previously approved short courses for registered nurses which were governed by the following regulations:

GG Notice R238 of 13 February 1981

GG Notice R237 of 13 February 1981

GG Notice R670 of 31March 1983

These provided for offering of

	Renal Nursing and Stoma Care Nursing
	Occupational Health Nursing and
	Spinal Injury Nursing Science

2. In August 1984 the above regulations were repealed as the Council took a resolution that it would no longer regulate short courses that were less than one academic year.

Recognizing the need for short courses, the Council further resolved that short courses could still be offered under certain circumstances. These included the following, inter alia:

	a need identified by the National and / or Regional level departments health
	examinations will be conducted by the educational institution
	the qualification would be listed by the Council only for statistical purposes
	a certificate will be issued by the approved school offering the short course

NB:    Listing of a course only implies that the course appears on the council’s database, it does not entitle the person to register to practice in a particular capacity or a registration certificate. A listed qualification has no status attached to it by virtue of it appearing on the SANC database. 

This resolution was communicated by Circular 30/84 in October 1984

3. The SANC has also experienced several challenges over the years in respect of listing of short courses in accordance with the above resolution:

4. Accreditation Requirements

4.1 The SANC is accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) as an Education and Training Quality Assurance Body (ETQA) for the nursing qualifications.

 4.2 The qualifications within the scope of the SANC are stipulated by SAQA (Annexure A).

4.3 SANC’s is required as an ETQA to accredit and quality assure qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) that fall within its scope.

4.4 Currently none of the listed courses on the SANC database are registered on the NQF. The SANC as an ETQA therefore cannot continue to recognize courses for listing that are not accredited and quality assured by the Council.

4.5 Furthermore neither the Nursing Act 50 of 1978 nor Nursing Act 33 of 2005 makes provision for the registration of short courses.

5. You are therefore hereby notified that the Council took the following resolution

6. Implications of this resolution:

	Nursing Education Institutions may continue to provide the short courses, conduct examination and issue certificates in accordance with their status or provide these courses as skills programmes or in-service education
	Institutions that are already approved by the SANC to offer short courses will remain in the SANC database (for information only)
	Candidates completing these courses may not apply to the SANC to have the listed course appear before their names
	The annual licence to practice will no longer contain details of previously listed qualification with effect from 2008 licence.
	An institution may apply to the SANC for the accreditation of a previously listed course only if the qualification complies with a registered qualification on the NQF and falls within the scope of the SANC and/or meets the prescribed requirements of a qualification for registration with the SANC (meets the requirements of a Regulation for a specific qualification).

Any further enquiry regarding this matter may be referred to Ms Mchunu: Deputy Registrar Professional Affairs
(Tel: 012 420 1000 e-mail: [email protected])

Your cooperation in this regard will be appreciated.

Signed
H Subedar (Ms)
REGISTRAR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

ANNEXURE A

The Scope and primary focus of the South African Nursing Council as an ETQA accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority

The scope and the primary focus area of the South African Nursing Council as accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority cover the following qualifications:

1. Certificate of Enrolment as Nursing Auxiliary
2. Certificate of Enrolment as a Nurse
3. Bridging Course for Enrolled Nurses leading to registration as a general nurse or psychiatric nurse
4. Diploma in Midwifery
5. Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing
6. Diploma in Nursing (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwifery (Comprehensive Course)
7. Degree in Nursing (General, Psychiatric and Community) and Midwifery (Comprehensive Course)
8. Diploma in Nursing Administration
9. Diploma in Unit Management for Registered Nurses
10. Diploma in Nursing Education
11. Diploma in Clinical Nursing Science, Health Assessment, Treatment and Care
12. Diploma in Community Health Nursing Science
13. Post-basic Diploma in Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science
14. Post-basic Diploma in Community Health Nursing Science
15. Post-basic Diploma in Occupational Health Nursing Science
16. Post-basic Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing Science (Elective: Adults)
17. Post-basic Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing Science (Elective: Children)
18. Post-basic Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing Science (Elective: Adolescents)
19. Post-basic Diploma in Gerontological Nursing Science
20. Post-basic Diploma in Child Nursing Science
21. Post-basic Diploma in Operating Theatre Nursing Science
22. Post-basic Diploma in Ophthalmological Nursing Science
23. Post-basic Diploma in Orthopaedic Nursing Science
24. Post-basic Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science

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

Disclaimer

22 February 2007

Cancellation of the Nursing Examinations Scheduled for February 2007

The South African Nursing Council regrets that due to a serious breach in security we have had to cancel all examinations that were scheduled for 21 and 23 February 2007 and nullify the examinations that were written on 19 February 2007.

The South African Nursing Council learnt on 20 February 2007 that examination papers that were sent to an invigilator 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 20 February 2007 which was a day after the first examination was written on 19 February 2007. 

The Council will be reconvening the examination for the affected learners as soon as we possibly can, however we also need some time to put in place tighter security measures to prevent the recurrence of such an incident in future examinations. 

The South African Nursing Council will inform all institutions providing nursing education of the new date for the examination which we anticipate at this stage to be around the end of March 2007. 

Kindly ensure that all the learners are duly informed of the situation and assure them that the South African Nursing Council is doing everything to resolve the situation speedily. Learners will be informed about the future date of the examination through the nursing education institutions. We also appeal to the learners not to contact the Council directly.

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
Hasina Subedar
Registrar

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

Disclaimer

Amendments for Registered Nurses  (The principal regulations to which these amendments apply have subsequently been repealed.)

Amendments for Enrolled Nurses  (The principal regulations to which these amendments apply have subsequently been repealed.)

Amendments for Nursing Auxiliaries  (The principal regulations to which these amendments apply have subsequently been repealed.)

Amendments for Student Nurses (English / Afrikaans)

Amendments for Pupil Nurses (English / Afrikaans)

Amendments for Pupil Nursing Auxiliaries (English / Afrikaans)

Amendments for Examinations (English / Afrikaans)

Regulations for Registered Nurses  (These OLD regulations have subsequently been repealed.)

Regulations for Enrolled Nurses  (These OLD regulations have subsequently been repealed.)

Regulations for Nursing Auxiliaries  (These OLD regulations have subsequently been repealed.)

Regulations for Student Nurses (English / Afrikaans)

Regulations for Pupil Nurses (English / Afrikaans)

Regulations for Pupil Nursing Auxiliaries (English / Afrikaans)

Regulations for Examinations (English / Afrikaans)