If you are interested in helping people maintain their health, treating the sick, having a dedication to medicine and the ability to keep adding to your knowledge base then becoming a nurse in South Africa could be the job for you!
Nursing Career Overview
A nurse is a dedicated healthcare professional who plays a pivotal role in providing compassionate care and patient support. They assess patients’ health conditions, administer medications, provide treatments and procedures and assist with daily activities.
Nurses educate patients and their families about health conditions and preventive measures, advocate for their patient’s rights and preferences and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care.
A nurse provides emotional support, maintains accurate records and continuously updates their knowledge to deliver high-quality care. Nurses are at the forefront of patient care, significantly impacting individuals’ well-being and promoting overall health in their communities.
Required School Subjects
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Sciences Entry Requirements:
- English (50-59%)
- First additional or home language (50-59%)
- Life Sciences (50-59%)
- Maths Literacy (50-59%)
Diploma in Nursing Entry Requirements:
- You will need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification at a level 3 or 4, depending on the institution, to qualify to study the course. However, it is not as important that you have taken mathematics and or physical sciences as it is for BCur. You will need:
- English (50-59%)
- First additional or home language (50-59%)
- Four other subjects (50-59%)
- Life Orientation (50-59%)
Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing Entry requirements:
- You will need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification at exit level 3 or 4, depending on the institution, to qualify to study this course, however, it is not as important that you have taken mathematics, physical sciences or life sciences as it is for the BCur. You will also need:
- English (50-59%)
- First additional or home language (50-59%)
- Four other subjects (50-59%)
- Life orientation (50-59%)
Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Nursing Entry Requirements:
- Bachelor in Nursing Sciences or equivalent or a degree and comprehensive diploma
- Diplomas in nursing and midwifery
- Advanced Diploma in midwifery, staff nurse and advanced diploma
Institution and APS
For most universities in South Africa, a minimum APS score of 21 points is needed for admission, but you’ll find that certain universities require a higher score than others.
According to the Western Cape College of Nursing, the minimum entry requirements for a diploma in Nursing is:
- Grade 12 (Std 10) – Minimum 28 APS points
Some of the most reputable institutions which over studies in nursing include:
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- University of Pretoria (TUKS)
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
There are also a variety of smaller nursing colleges that focus solely on nurse training which ensures that the practical element of the education and training is covered.Â
Nursing Required Qualification/s
To qualify as a nurse, there are four options for you to pursue:
- A 4-year bachelor degree in nursing
- A 3-year diploma
- A 1-year higher certificate in auxiliary nursing
- 1-year postgraduate advanced diploma in nursing and midwifery on top of your degree or diploma.
After you get your qualification, you have to register with the SANCA (South Africa Nursing Council).
Nursing Required Skills
To excel as a nurse, several skills are essential for providing effective and compassionate care to patients. Here are some of the required skills for nurses:
- Clinical competence: Nurses must possess strong clinical skills and knowledge to assess patients, identify health issues, and provide appropriate care. This includes skills in conducting physical examinations, administering medications, performing medical procedures and interpreting diagnostic tests.
- Critical thinking: Nurses need to think critically and make sound decisions in various healthcare situations. They must analyse information, consider potential outcomes and prioritise interventions to ensure optimal patient care.
- Communication: Effective communication is crucial in nursing. Nurses must be able to listen actively, communicate clearly and compassionately with patients and their families and collaborate with the healthcare team. Good communication skills also include written documentation and accurate record-keeping.
- Empathy and compassion: Nurses must demonstrate empathy and compassion toward patients, understanding their physical and emotional needs and providing comfort and support. This skill helps in building trust, establishing rapport and promoting a positive patient experience.
- Time management: Nurses often have multiple responsibilities and tasks to juggle. Effective time management skills enable them to prioritise care, manage their workload and meet deadlines while ensuring that patient needs are met promptly.
- Attention to detail: Nurses must pay close attention to details, as even minor errors can have significant consequences in patient care. Attention to detail helps in accurately administering medications, monitoring vital signs and identifying any changes or complications.
- Emotional resilience: Nursing can be emotionally demanding, and nurses need to maintain emotional resilience to cope with stress, difficult situations and patient suffering. This skill allows nurses to provide compassionate care while maintaining their own well-being.
- Teamwork and Collaboration: Nurses collaborate with other healthcare professionals, and effective teamwork is vital for delivering coordinated care. Nurses must work well within a team, effectively communicate with colleagues and contribute to a collaborative and supportive work environment.
- Lifelong learning: Nursing is a continuously evolving field, and nurses must embrace lifelong learning. They should stay updated with the latest advancements in healthcare, engage in professional development activities and seek opportunities for further education to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Developing and honing these skills throughout their nursing career allows nurses to provide high-quality care, build strong relationships with patients and colleagues, and contribute positively to the healthcare profession.
Where You Can Work
Owing to nursing posts needing to be filled, most private hospitals and public hospitals are always looking to take on nurses. Even just a quick Google search proves widespread job opportunities in South Africa, for all types of qualified nurses. The majority of posts will be requesting a registered nurse. Almost all posts require you to be registered with SANC (South African Nursing Council).
Working Hours
A registered nurse works in a two-week cycle. They have a long week where they work on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. The next week is a short week and is just the Wednesday and Thursday. They work 14 days in a 28-day cycle. If you’re a staff nurse/sister, you get to work overtime. You work for 12 hours, get paid overtime, and you get paid pretty well. Pay is double on a Saturday night – R1,500. Day pay is R700 and overtime is over and above your salary.
This is as set out by SANC (South African Nursing Council).
Expected Salary
It’s important to note that the average salary of a nurse may vary, pending on experience, qualifications, specialisation, geographic location and the employing institution. However, the average salary of a nurse in South Africa is approximately R23 000 per month, or R276 000 per year.
What to Expect
Bachelor Degree in Nursing Sciences:
The degree consists of both a compulsory practical clinical training component and a theoretical component. Once you have completed a BCur or equivalent, you can register with SANC. The Bcur usually prepares you in four specifics fields:
- General nursing (working in hospitals and medical practices)
- Community nursing
- Psychiatric nursing
- Midwifery (caring for mothers and babies)
Your course will have a practical component. You will learn how to do the kind of practical work you will need to be able to do when you become a nurse. In the theoretical component, you will learn the theory of what it is to be a nurse and you will study medical, biological and natural sciences, psychological and social sciences, and pharmacology so that you have the knowledge you need to be competent and successful healthcare professional.
Diploma in Nursing:
The Diploma in Nursing course is generally three years and also consists of practical and theoretical work. After you have completed this qualification you are able to work as a registered staff nurse or enrolled nurse. During this course, you will cover similar work to what you would cover in the Bcur degree. You will go less in-depth with the work as the course is shorter. You will learn how to provide nursing care, apply your knowledge in the nursing practice, diagnose and treat minor illnesses and provide reproductive health care.
Higher Certificate in Auxiliary nursing:
The Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing is a 1-year qualification that is aimed to equip you with the skills that you will need to provide basic nursing care to individuals while working under the supervision of a nurse who holds a national diploma or degree. After completing your higher certificate you will be able to register as an enrolled nursing auxiliary. This course will teach you how to apply your knowledge of the theory, the practice of basic nursing and how to assess, plan, implement and evaluate basic nursing care for individuals and groups.
Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Nursing:
The Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Nursing is designed to strengthen and deepen your knowledge in nursing and midwifery. During this course, you will specialise as a nurse or midwife (or accoucheur). This course is also only one year long and can only be completed after you have received a diploma or degree in nursing. Unlike the other courses, this course is mostly theoretical. This qualification will also be helpful if you wish to pursue a career in nursing management. This is the postgraduate course for an individual who has a diploma in nursing, will have to complete in order to work as a nursing sister in South African Hospitals.
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