South African Nursing Council

Regulations Relating to the Course in Clinical Nursing Science Leading to Registration of an Additional Qualification

The Minister of National Health has, on the recommendation of the South African Nursing Council, in terms of section 45 (1) of the Nursing Act, 1978 (Act No. 50 of 1978), made the regulations contained in the Schedule hereto.

SCHEDULE

Definitions

1.     In these regulations “the Act” means the Nursing Act, 1978 (Act No. 50 of 1978), and any expression to which a meaning has been assigned in the Act shall bear such meaning and, unless the context otherwise indicates-

“academic year course” means at least 90 teaching periods of 40 minutes each;

“clinical nursing qualification” means a qualification in one of the following study directions:

(a)    Child Nursing Science;

(b)    Community Nursing Science;

(c)    Gerontological Nursing Science;

(d)    Medical and Surgical Nursing Science;

(e)    Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science;

(f)    Occupational Health Nursing Science;

(g)    Psychiatric Nursing Science;

“course” means a programme of education and training approved by the council, presented by an approved nursing school referred to in section 3, which leads to a clinical nursing qualification that confers on the holder thereof the right to register such qualification as an additional qualification in terms of section 22 of the Act;

“study direction” means the relevant subject choice for one of the qualifications necessary to obtain a clinical nursing qualification.

Institution of a clinical course

2.    A course is hereby instituted which shall lead to the obtaining of a clinical nursing qualification.

Conditions for the approval of a nursing school

3. (1)    A nursing school may be approved by the Council for the presentation of a course referred to in these regulations if-

(a)    it is a nursing school that has been approved to present a course leading to the registration of nurses (general, psychiatric or community nurses) and midwives;

(b)    the curriculum for the course, including the evaluation system, has been approved by the Council;

(c)    the organisational structure and facilities of the nursing school provide for the continued presentation of the curriculum and the achievement of the course objectives referred to in regulation 6; and

(d)    the qualifications of the persons who participate in the theoretical and clinical instruction of the students are satisfactory in the opinion of the Council.

(2)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1), the Council may approve a nursing school on conditions that essentially correspond with the requirements of that subregulation.

Admission to a course and the issuing of a qualification

4. (1)    A candidate shall apply to the person in charge of a nursing school for admission to a course referred to in these regulations.

(2)    Such application shall be accompanied by proof of current registration as a general nurse and, where applicable, also proof of registration as a psychiatric nurse or midwife, or of having registration in community nursing science.

(3)    The current registration referred to in subregulation (2) shall be maintained for the full duration of the course.

(4)    A clinical nursing qualification referred to in these regulations shall be issued by- 

(a)    a nursing school referred to in regulation 3(1)(a) which has statutory authority to issue qualifications; or

(b)    the Council, if the nursing school does not have statutory authority to issue qualifications.

Duration of the course

5.    The duration of the course shall be at least one academic year of 44 weeks.

The curriculum

Course objectives

6. (1)    The curriculum for the course shall be compiled in such a manner that it leads to the consolidation of the knowledge of, personal growth in and the continued skill of a student in respect of the following:

(a)    Developing a sound view and philosophy of life and a continued understanding of the influence of different views of life on the thoughts and behaviour of man;

(b)    showing respect for the dignity and uniqueness of man in his social, cultural and religious context, and approaching and understanding man as a complete being within this context;

(c)    applying and pioneering a systematic approach to the nursing of man in the various phases of life at any point along the health/sickness continuum, in situations inside and outside the hospital;

(d)    effective interaction which promotes growth in individual and groups;

(e)    maintaining ethical codes of the profession and practising within the provisions of the appropriate legislation;

(f)    developing, organising and showing evidence of contributions to a comprehensive health service;

(g)    defining and accepting responsibility for independent nursing practice;

(h)    rendering a scientifically based nursing practice;

(i)    meaningful co-operation within the nursing and multi-disciplinary team according to the principles of co-responsibility for and collaboration with a view to achieving a common objective;

(j)    developing and implementing operational leadership, and managerial and teaching skills;

(k)    developing nursing science through research involvement;

(l)    motivating and maintaining community participation, involvement and development.

Course content

(2) (a)    The course shall consist of the following subjects:

(i)    Nursing Dynamics; and

(ii)    one of the following subjects, determined by the study direction, which shall be referred to as course choice A:

(aa)    Child Health (including Paediatrics) capita selecta;
(bb)    Community Health capita selecta;
(cc)    Gerontology (including Geriatrics) capita selecta;
(dd)    Internal Medicine and Surgery capita selecta;
(ee)    Obstetrics and Neonatology capita selecta;
(ff)      Psychiatry capita selecta;
(gg)    Occupational Health capita selecta; and

(iii)    one of the following subjects, determined by the study direction, which may include an area of specialisation and which shall be referred to as course choice B:

(aa)    Child Nursing Science;
(bb)    Community Nursing Science;
(cc)    Gerontological Nursing Science;
(dd)    Medical and Surgical Nursing Science;
(ee)    Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing Science;
(ff)     Occupational Health Nursing Science.
(gg)    Psychiatric Nursing Science.

(b) (i)    The subject referred to in paragraphs (a)(i) and (ii) shall each be considered one academic year course.

(ii)    The subjects referred to in paragraph (a)(iii) shall each be considered two academic year courses.

(3)    Every subject referred to in these regulations shall be examined- 

(a)    by a nursing school referred to in regulation 4(4)(a) in accordance with the examination rules of the nursing school concerned; or

(b)    by a nursing school on behalf of and with the approval of the council in accordance with the regulations relating to examinations of the council.

Transition clauses

7. (1)    Subject to the provisions of subregulation (2) these regulations shall not derograte from the regulations published under Government Notices Nos. R. 83 of 16 January 1970, R. 85 of 16 January 1970, R. 1658 of 3 August 1979, R. 1660 of 3 August 1979, R. 1665 of 3 August 1979, R. 1669 of 3 August 1979, R. 1670 of 3 August 1979, R. 239 of 13 February 1981, R. 240 of 13 February 1981, and R. 47 of 22 January 1982, as amended, which shall remain in force until 31 December 1997.

(2)    Notwithstanding the provisions of the regulations referred to in subregulation (1), no person shall be admitted to the courses referred to in that subregulation after 31 December 1993.

(3) (a)    Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b), these regulations shall not derogate from the provisions of the regulations published in terms of the Nursing Act, 1984 (Act No. 13 of 1984) (Ciskei), under Government Notice No. 92 of 1986, as amended, hereafter referred to as the 1986 regulations, and the regulations published under Government Notice No. 9A of 18 March 1988 (Ciskei), as amended, hereafter referred to as the 1988 regulations, which shall remain in force until 31 December 1998.

(b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), no person shall be admitted to a course referred to in the 1986 or 1988 regulations after 28 February 1997.

(4) (a)    Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulation (1), these regulations shall not derogate from the provision of the regulations published under the Health and Related Professions Act, 1985 (Act No. 33 of 1985) (Bophuthatswana), by Government Notice No. 62 of 23 March 1990, as amended, hereafter referred to as the 1990 regulations, which shall remain in force until 31 December 1998.

(b)    Notwithstanding the provision of paragraph (a), no person shall be admitted to a course referred to in the 1990 regulations after 28 February 1997.

(5) (a)     Notwithstanding the provisions of subregulations (1) and (2), the regulations published under Government Notice No. R. 1665 of 3 August 1979, as amended, hereafter referred to as the 1979 regulations, shall apply in the territory of the former Republic of Transkei, until 31 December 1998.

(b)    Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a), no person shall be admitted to a course referred to in the 1979 regulations after 28 February 1997.