To become a certified nurse, you have to go through two steps: you must get a qualification from an accredited school and then register with SANC.
Private nursing colleges in South Africa and public institutions provide the same degrees and diplomas. To complete your qualification, simply pick a school that suits your needs.
How many years does it take to become a nurse in South Africa?
Well, just keep in mind that it depends on the type of degree or diploma that you want to complete. The programs available for students who want to pursue a career in this field are:
Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing — One year
In this course, you will learn all the basics of giving care to people. After the one year course, you will be working under a registered nurse who has completed his/her degree or diploma qualification.
Bachelor Degree in Nursing Sciences — Four years
With this university degree, you will be able to work as a midwife, general, community, or psychiatry nurse. By the end of this degree, also, you will be equipped with the theoretical and practical components of the field. Public universities like the UCT (University of Cape Town) offer nursing courses in Cape Town as well as the University of the Western Cape, University of KwaZulu-Natal, North-West University, and so on.
Diploma in Nursing — Three years
With this qualification, you will be equipped to work as an enrolled nurse or staff nurse. The significant difference between this course and the bachelor’s degree is the duration, and so, you should anticipate less detailed information. The diploma in nursing qualification can be found in Vaal University of Technology, Durban University of Technology, and other universities of technology.
Post-graduate Advanced Diploma in Nursing — One year
After completing your diploma and degree, you will be required to go for an advanced degree programme if you desire a career in nursing management. To apply for this advanced diploma programme, you must have had a bachelor’s degree or diploma in nursing. You also need, at least, two years of experience as a midwife or nurse.
What subjects are needed to become a nurse in South Africa?
For diploma and degree courses, the primary subject requirements to study nursing in South Africa include the following:
Mathematics;
English;
Life Science;
Life Orientation;
First or home language.
Various programmes for training of nurses:
* The bachelor’s degree in nursing is generally a four-year course that are offered by most public universities in South Africa: UJ, Wits, Stellenbosch (only post-graduate), UP, UWC, NWU, UKZN, Unisa etc. The degree consists of both a compulsory practical-clinical training component and a theoretical component.
* Colleges (government) offer a four-year integrated diploma. In other words, when you complete your training you also have the following qualifications: General Nursing, Childbirth, Psychiatry, and Community Nursing.
General theoretical subjects that are studied:
- Nursing history and ethics
- Basic nursing
- Elementary nutrition
- First aid
- Elementary anatomy and physiology
- Introduction to comprehensive healthcare
- General nursing
- Nursing of elderly
- Nursing of mentally disable people
- Community nursing
- Psychiatric nursing
* NEIs / Nursing Schools offer different programmes, depending on what they are approved for.
- R2 176: Certificate course – Enrolled Nursing Aid (ENA)
- R2 175: Certificate course – Enrolled Nursing (EN)
- R683: Diploma – Bridging to Professional Registered Nurse (PRN)
- Some of them also offer the four-year diploma.
After completing their studies, new nurses must first complete a community service year before they can officially join the working force. New nurses must apply for placement during their compulsory community service year. During this year they will receive all the necessary training in clinics and hospitals. The application form is available on the SANC website.
What colleges offer nursing in South Africa?
The South African Nursing Council (SANC) is in charge of approving the courses and institutions in the country. That should be your first stop if you want to find out about nursing colleges in South Africa application forms. The SANC will not register any student with a qualification from an institution that is not recognised.
The nursing universities and colleges in South Africa include;
Universities Offering Nursing In South Africa
Nursing at (UP) University of Pretoria
Nursing at (UWC) University of Western Cape
Nursing at (WITS) University of the Witwatersrand
Nursing at (CPUT) Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Nursing at (NWU) North-West University
Nursing at (DUT) Durban University of Technology
Nursing at (NMMU) Nelson Mandela University
Nursing at (SMU) Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
Nursing at ( TUT) Tshwane University of Technology
Nursing at (UCT) University of Cape Town
Nursing at (UFH) University of Fort Hare
Nursing at (US) Stellenbosch University
Nursing at (UJ) University of Johannesburg
Nursing at (UNISA) University of South Africa
Nursing at (Unizulu) University of Zululand
Nursing at ( WSU ) Walter Sisulu University
Nursing at (UKZN) University Kwazulu-Natal
Nursing at (UFS) University of Free State
Nursing at (VUT) Vaal University of Technology
Nursing at (UL) University of Limpopo
Colleges Offering Nursing In South Africa
ABH Nursing School
Academy of nursing Education and Healthcare Training
Arwyp Medical Centre- Kempton Park
Bloemfontein Mediclinic Learning Centre- Free State
Cape Region Mediclinic Learning Centre- Western Cape
Chatsmed Candlelight Nursing School – Durban Campus
Chatsmed Candlelight Nursing School – Eshowe Campus
Chatsmed Candlelight Nursing School – Stanger Campus
Chatsmed Candlelight Nursing School -Mthatha Campus
Clinix Health Medical Centre
Emmanuel Nursing School
Future Nurses Nursing School
Gem Auxilary Nursing School
Gold Fields Nursing College
Healthnicon Nursing College- Vaal Campus
Healthnicon Nursing College- Western Cape Campus
Healthnicon Pretoria Campus
Helderberg Training Centre
Hospice Association of Wits Nursing School
Ithemba Nursing Academy
Letjhabile Libalele Nursing School-Gauteng
Letjhabile LibaleleI Nursing School-Kroonstad Campus
Life College of Learning – Cape Town Learning Centre
Life College of Learning – East London Learning Centre
Life College of Learning – East Rand Learning Centre
Life College of Learning – KZN Learning Centre
Life College of Learning – Pretoria Learning Centre
Life College of Learning – West Rand Learning Centre
Life College of Learning- Port Elizabeth Learning Centre
Limpopo Mediclinic Learning Centre- Polokwane
Ludumo Nursing School
Lunghile Nursing College
Michaelmas College-Ixopo Campus
Michaelmas College-Kuilsriver Campus
Michaelmas College-Pietermaritzburg Campus
Michaelmas College- Durban Campus
Nelspruit Mediclinic Learning Centre- Mpumalanga
Netcare Education- Eastern Cape Campus, Port Elizabeth
Netcare Education- Gauteng North East Campus, PTA
Netcare Education- Gauteng South West Campus ,JHB
Netcare Education- Kwazulu-Natal Campus, Durban
Netcare Education- Western Cape Campus, Bellville
Nicole Nursing School
Northern Cape Mediclinic Learning Centre- Kimberly
Northern Region Mediclinic Learning Centre-Gauteng
Occupational Care of South Africa
Ring-Mash Nursing
St Ambrose Nursing School
Thuto Bophelo Nursing School
Tshwane Regional Mediclinic Learning Centre- Pretoria
Ukwazi Nursing School- Roodepoort Campus
Ukwazi Nursing School- Potchefstroom Campus
Vuka Ukhanye Nursing School
EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE
Lilitha College of Nursing (Main Campus)
All Saints Hospital Nursing School
Andries Vosloo Hospital School Of Nursing
Butterworth Hospital School Of Nursing
Dora Nginza Hospital School Of Nursing
Dr Malizo Mpehle Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing
Elizabeth Donkin Hospital School Of Nursing
FREE STATE PROVINCE
University of Free State
Free State School of Nursing –Eastern Campus
Free State School of Nursing -Southern Campus
Free State School of Nursing –Northern Campus
Boitumelo Hospital School Of Nursing
Bongani Regional Hospital School Of Nursing
Dihlabeng Regional Hospital School Of Nursing
Dr J S Moroka Community Hospital School Of Nursing
Metsimaholo District Hospital School Of Nursing
Mofumahadi Manapo Mopeli Region Hospital School Of Nursing
National Universitas Hospital School Of Nursing
Military Hospital (SAMHS) Nursing School
Pelonomi Hospital School Of Nursing
Ann Latsky Nursing College
Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College
Ga-Rankuwa Nursing College
S G Lourens Nursing College
SAMHS Nursing College
KWAZULU NATAL PROVINCE
KwaZulu -Natal College of Nursing
Siloam Hospital Nursing College
St Rita’s Hospital Nursing College
Tshilidzini Hospital Nursing College
Voortrekker Hospital Nursing College
Warmbath Hospital Nursing College
Mpumalanga College of Nursing
Barberton Hospital Nursing School
Bethal Hospital Nursing School
Embhuleni Hospital Nursing School
Ermelo Hospital Nursing School
Evander Hospital Nursing School
Lydenburg Hospital Nursing School
Mapulaneng Hospital Nursing School
Middleburg Hospital Nursing School
Philadelphia Hospital Nursing School
Piet Retief Hospital Nursing School
Rob Ferreira Hospital Nursing School
Sabie Hospital Nursing School
Shongwe Hospital Nursing School
Standerton Hospital Nursing School
Themba Hospital Nursing School
Tintswalo Hospital Nursing School
Witbank Hospital Nursing School
Henrietta Stockdale Nursing College
NORTH WEST PROVINCE
UNIVERSITIES
North West University (Mafikeng)
North West University (Potchefstroom)
Excelsius Nursing College
Mmabatho Nursing College
NURSING SCHOOLS
Moses Kotane Nursing School
Taung Community Hospital
Thusong Hospital Nursing School
Witrand Hospital Nursing School
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
University of Cape Town
University of Stellenbosch
University of the Western Cape
Western Cape College of Nursing
Boland Overberg – Worcester
South Cape Karoo Campus – George
Beaufort West Hospital Nursing School
George Hospital Nursing School
Groote Schuur Hospital Nursing School
Tygerberg Academic Hospital Nursing School
Western Cape Rehabilitation Centre
Worcester Nursing School
What subjects are needed to become a nurse in South Africa?
Entry Requirements:It is recommended that you take Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, but this is not compulsory at all institutions. You will need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification at exit level 4, with: English (50-59%)
How many years does it take to study nursing in South Africa?
An undergraduate degree can be completed within four to five years. Nurses with an undergraduate degree in nursing sciences can gain a Masters degree in psychiatric nursing, general nursing and midwifery.
Can a foreigner study nursing in South Africa?
International students are required to obtain Limited Registration with the South African Nursing Council before you are permitted to commence with any practical requirements. The Department of Nursing Education will facilitate the process with the South African Nursing Council on completion of registration.
What are the educational requirements for a nurse?
An aspiring RN can earn a bachelor’s of science in nursing (BSN) in four years at a college or university. If you’re already an RN, you can enroll in an RN-to-BSN program which is geared specifically for RNs who have an associate’s degree or nursing diploma. This path usually takes about two to three years.
How much do South African nurses earn?
The average salary for a Registered Nurse is R 18 874 per month in South Africa.