South African Nursing Council

Welcome to the South African Nursing Council Web site.  This site concentrates on the setting and maintaining of nursing education and practice standards.  The information is intended to appeal to a wide audience - from the serious researcher to those who are considering a career in nursing.

Practising nurses will find the site most useful. You will be able to find the latest and most up-to-date information about your profession here.

International visitors are welcome - particularly those who are doing international nursing research and also those who are considering coming to work as nurses in South Africa.

MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL - Ms. J.N. Makhanya on the nurses partaking in the industrial action

As a statutory body mandated to serve and protect the public on matters relating to health services generally and nursing in particular, we note with sadness incidences where users of public health facilities have not been able to exercise their constitutional rights to access to health care.

We are aware that there are dedicated nurses who want to continue providing services essential for saving lives and alleviating suffering especially amongst the vulnerable groups that include people on chronic medication, pregnant women, newborn babies and people that are on life saving therapies.  We appeal that these nurses be assured of safety of their lives while exercising their professional, ethical, and moral obligation to save lives and allowed space to provide care to our patients.

We also want to remind even those that are partaking in this life threatening industrial action of the Nurse’s Pledge that says:

"The total health of our patients will be our first consideration"

We commend the volunteers and those working outside government who heeded the call and in the interest of saving lives and alleviation of undue suffering, stepped in and provided their services.

We also would like to remind the whole nursing fraternity that their right to strike does not supersede their professional and moral responsibility to be of service to the consumers of health care.

We commend measures that have been put in place, i.e., the court interdict, to deal with intimidation and look forward to interventions that would ensure that patients are not denied their right to health care services.

Lastly, we appeal to the government as an employer and the unions to work together to speedily resolve this dispute that has and continues to threaten the lives of our patients.

Let us all remember that Health is a Human Right!

2010 International Year of the Nurse

Remembering Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) – founder of modern nursing
Celebrating nurses worldwide – bringing health to their communities

The year 2010 is the International Year of the Nurse.  One hundred years after the death of Florence Nightingale on 13 August 1910, the international nursing community challenges all nurses to strive to achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.  These goals emphasize reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and communicable and non-communicable diseases. In South Africa it coincides with the national campaign against HIV / AIDS.

The South African Nursing Council acknowledges the tireless efforts of all nurses in South Africa, who despite daily pressures and challenges, continue to prioritize the welfare of their patients. The Nursing Council further salutes nurses who have chosen to be part of the national campaign on the prevention of HIV/AIDS and chronic diseases.

Quote from the life of Florence Nightingale

In June 1860, the Nighting Training School opened at St. Thomas's Hospital (despite oposition from several quarters).

"The object of the school was to produce nurses capable of training others.  The Nightingale nurses were not to undertake private nursing; they were to take posts in hospitals and public institutions and establish a higher standard." - Florence Nightingale by Cecil Woodham-Smith

This sound a bit like the South African Nursing Council motto "Ad Excellentiae Studendum".

South African Nursing Council celebrates "Excellence in Nursing - 2010"

Do you have a story which celebrates "excellence" in nursing in South Africa?

If so, submit it for consideration for publication on our celebrations page.

Latest News from S A Nursing Council:

Council Cancels Examination Following Breach in Security

30 July 2010

The Council has had to cancel paper 2 of the July 2010 Bridging Course examination that was supposed to be written on 30 July 2010.  The examination has been re-scheduled to 27 August 2010.  The Council has expressed it sincere regrets at the inconvenience which this may have caused to both learners and the education institutions.  Click here for full details.

New Appointments at South African Nursing Council

1 July 2010

A number of new staff including the new Registrar have recently been appointed at South African Nursing Council .  Click on this link to find out who they are and what skills they bring to Council.

Annual and Restoration Fees  for 2011

1 July 2010

Annual fees for 2011

The annual fees for the calendar year 2011 can be paid from today.  The amounts for the different categories are set out in the table below.

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 above amounts all include 14% VAT.

Restoration fees effective from 1 January 2011

The restoration fees will increase on 1 January 2011.  The amounts for the different categories are set out in the table below.

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 above amounts all include 14% VAT.

Update on the Status of Offering of Legacy Nursing Qualifications and Implementation of the New Nursing Qualifications Registered on the National Qualifications Framework

30 June 2010

Nursing Council has issued and update on the status of the legacy qualifications and implementation of new nursing qualifications.  You are encouraged to find out what is happening by reading the circular.

Click here to access a copy of the circular from this website.

i AM RESPONSIBLE - World Aids Day implementation

25 March 2010

The Minister of Health today called on retired nurses to become involved in the national HIV Counselling and Testing drive.  Adverts appeared in most major newspapers and the Minister held a press briefing during the morning.

South African Nursing Council fully supports this initiative of the Department of Health and has issued its own press release.  Click here to see a copy of the press release.

Further information can be obtained from the AIDS Helpline on 0800 012 322.

24 March 2010

SA Nursing Council together with the Department of Health and SA National AIDS Council (SANAC) urge nurses and all other health workers to become involved in initiatives aimed at preventing and treating HIV/AIDS.

For more information, click here to go to the SANAC website.

Nurses can submit contact and personal details on-line

1 March 2010

Council is updating its records to include alternative contact details that will enable it to improve its service to clients.  It is also collecting additional personal details required for submitting learner records to the National Learner Records Database.

In an effort to make it as easy as possible for nurses to submit their own details, this can now be done on-line.  Click here to update your information.

Please tell your friends and colleagues about this update page so that SANC can collect the required information as soon as possible.

What you will find on the Council website

The following is a brief outline of what you will find on this website.

About SANC tells you all about the Nursing Council - the Vision, Mission and Objectives of the Council, the members that make up the Council, the various committees of Council and the members that serve on each, etc.

Complaints deals with the process of investigating matters which have been reported to the Nursing Council and which may constitute "unprofessional conduct". You can find out how to lodge a complaint (if you have one) and the process which will follow the receipt of your complaint.  If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having a complaint against you, this information will help you to understand the whole process - including your own rights.

Examinations deals with those examinations which are conducted by the Nursing Council .  If you are a  candidate who is planning to write or who has written a Council examination, you will obviously be interested in this information.

eRegister is a link to the Nursing Council electronic register where you can confirm the qualifications of registered practitioners.

News is where you will find all the latest decisions of the Nursing Council , new policies, proposed policies and discussion documents on which the Council would like your comments. You should visit these pages if you want to keep informed and to be involved in shaping the future of nursing in South Africa.

Nursing Schools contains a full list of all the nursing schools approved by the Nursing Council and their addresses (arranged by province) so that you can find one near by OR in a place where you would like to study.

Policies contains some of the Nursing Council policies and guidelines that are published for general information.

Publications contains the full texts of official publications which are available from the Nursing Council.  These include the Nursing Act, regulations, teaching guides and teaching policies of the Council. Although you are welcome to print and use copies of these documents, it is recommended that you refer to them on-line as you will then be sure to obtain the very latest information.

Services gives details of the services provided by the Nursing Council and how much each costs.  You can also download various official forms from these pages - this will ensure that you always use the current version of the form.  This is also the correct place for you to find out about the various options available for paying annual fees.

Statistics is for the inquisitive and the researcher.  Ever wanted to know how many nurses qualify each year?  This is where you will find all the information you need.

Tenders is where suppliers or prospective suppliers can find out about current tenders and download tender forms and information.

Promotion of Access to Information Act - Manual

Click on the information icon to access an electronic copy (PDF) of the South African Nursing Council Promotion of Access to Information Act Manual.  This manual will help you to access information that you believe is held by the Nursing Council and that is needed by you to protect your rights.

This Web site is continually being developed.  The "under construction" icon shown here is displayed on some pages to alert users that information is still being prepared for a particular link.  Our sincere apologies - we will try to add relevant information as soon as possible. If you do find any problems such as hyperlinks which don't work.  Please assist us by sending us details of the problem.  We appreciate your feedback.

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