Circular 10/2023 Additional Third Examination Month for Professional Entrance Examination

Circular 10/2023 Additional Third Examination Month for Professional Entrance Examination.

CIRCULAR 10/2023

 

TO:                       NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                              PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                              NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

                              ALL STAKEHOLDERS

SUBJECT:         ADDITIONAL THIRD EXAMINATION MONTH FOR THE PROFESSIONAL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION

 

  1. PURPOSE
    • The purpose of this Circular is to share the information with the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and all Stakeholders about the alterations in the examination months pertaining to the Professional Entrance Examination conducted by the South African Nursing Council (SANC) for the following programmes:
  •  Bachelor of Nursing leading to registration in the category Professional Nurse and Midwife;
  • Advance Diploma in Midwifery leading to registration in the category Midwife;
  • Diploma in Nursing leading to registration in the category General Nurse; and
  • Higher Certificate leading to registration in the category Auxiliary Nurse.
  •  The purpose of the Professional Entrance Examination is for the students to be admitted to the SANC Nurse Register on successful completion of the examination.
  1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
  • Conducted examination for the legacy qualifications was twice per year with the last examination coming to an end in November 2023.
  • The SANC introduced the Professional Entrance Examination during this transition from the legacy to Higher Qualifications Sub-framework-aligned Nursing qualifications. The Professional Entrance Examination is written by students who have passed the Summative Examination conducted by the NEIs and it is currently conducted in the months of May and November.
  • Education and Training Stakeholders have raised concerns over the two examination months that are afforded students to write the Professional Entrance Examination because the students must wait for almost five months before they undertake the examination.
  • Whilst the intension of the SANC is to ensure that students write the examination immediately after writing their summative evaluation, it is currently not feasible.  

 

  1. COUNCIL RESOLUTION

3.1 The Council at its ordinary meeting held on 13-14 July 2023 resolved that Professional Entrance Examinations must be written in the months of March, July, and November to reduce the current prolonged waiting period.

 

  1. IMPLICATIONS
  • The content of this circular must be brought to the attention of all students due to write the examination.
  • This circular amends section 6.1.4 of Circular 14/2020.
  • Application forms for the examination must be submitted as reflected in the examination schedule i.e., not later than the seventh day of the month, three months prior to the month in which the examination is to be conducted, namely, 7 December 2023 for the March examination in 2024.

 

  1. IMPLEMENTATION
  • The Circular becomes implementable and valid from the date of issue. For further information in respect of this Circular you are advised to contact Ms MA Mnguni, Senior Manager: Learner Affairs at 012 420 1065 or amnguni@sanc.co.za.

 

Yours sincerely

_____________________________                                     

PROF. NG MTSHALI

REGISTRAR & CEO

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE: _______________________

 

     

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Circular 9/2023 Introduction of courier services for delivery of Distinguishing Device

Circular 9/2023 Introduction of courier services for delivery of Distinguishing Device

 

Circular 9/2023

TO:                    NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                           PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                           NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

                           ALL RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS

 

SUBJECT:      INTRODUCTION OF COURIER SERVICES FOR DELIVERY OF DISTINGUISHING DEVICES

 

  1. PURPOSE
    • To inform the Nurse Practitioners, the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and other relevant stakeholders regarding the following:
  • The SANC will deliver Nurse Practitioners’ distinguishing devices orders, paid via the bank, by courier services starting from 01 September 2023.
  • The SANC is also embarking on a campaign for Nurse Practitioners to update their personal details to ensure we have recent and correct delivery addresses in its records which will assist with obtaining a higher rate of successful deliveries.
  1. BACKGROUND
    • The SANC sells distinguishing devices to Nurse Practitioners and these devices are currently sent using registered mail via the South African Post Office.
    • The SANC has been inundated with complaints from Nurse Practitioners for not receiving their orders for distinguishing devices on time. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the method used for delivery of orders is not effective and it was necessary to look at other delivery alternatives.
  1. UPDATE OF PERSONAL DETAILS FOR COURIER SERVICE PURPOSES

3.1         Obtaining Nurse Practitioners’ recent physical addresses and contact details is essential for the successful delivery of distinguishing devices, and the SANC therefore request Nurse Practitioners to update their personal details by following the process below:

Step 1: Go to the SANC website: www.sanc.co.za

Step 2: On the Home Page, go to QUICK LINKS (top, right of the page)

Step 3: Click on:  DOWNLOADABLE FORMS

Step 4: Select the form:  UPDATE OF CONTACT DETAILS FORM

Step 5: Complete the online form

Step 6: Click on: SEND.

3.2         It is important to note that the Nurse Practitioners should update their personal details before ordering distinguishing devices to ensure that their devices are delivered to the correct address.

  1. DELIVERY PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS

4.1 DISTINGUISHING DEVICES

4.1.1        Distinguishing devices orders are currently delivered to Nurse Practitioners using registered mail via the South African Post Office (SAPO).

4.1.2     Starting from 01 September 2023 all orders paid through the bank will be delivered by courier.

4.1.3      Nurse Practitioners who pay their distinguishing devices orders at the bank and opt for delivery of their order to their physical addresses, will have to ensure that they provide the physical address on the order form.

4.1.4      The courier costs for distinguishing devices orders is R90.00 per parcel (only domestic delivery).

4.1.4      The procedure for ordering will not change, the only change will be that the amount usually charged for postage will be used for courier costs.

4.2 UNDELIVERED/RETURNED PARCELS

4.2.1      When a parcel is unsuccessfully delivered due to the unavailability of the Nurse Practitioner or provision of incorrect details by the Nurse Practitioner, the Nurse Practitioner will be liable for the return cost as charged by the courier company.

4.2.2      Nurse Practitioners will also pay courier cost for re-delivery of the parcel.

For further information in respect of this Circular, you are advised to contact Mr. B Manganyi, Acting Manager: Revenue Collections and Sales at bmanganyi@sanc.co.za or Tel: 012 420 1081.

                                             ______________                                                                        

PROF NG MTSHALI                                                                                                   

REGISTRAR AND CEO

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

 

___________________________________

DATE

 

     

Click the link below to download the Circular as a PDF

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Circular 8/2023 Introduction of courier services for delivery of Annual Practising Certificates

Circular 8/2023 Introduction of courier services for delivery of Annual Practising Certificates

 

 

Circular 8/2023

TO:                    NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

                           PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH

                           NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

                           ALL RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS

SUBJECT:      INTRODUCTION OF COURIER SERVICES FOR DELIVERY OF ANNUAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

 

  1. PURPOSE
    • To inform the National Department of Health, Provincial Departments of Health, Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs) and other relevant stakeholders regarding the following:
      • The SANC will provide an option to Nurse Practitioners who individually pay annual fees via the bank to deliver their 2024 Annual Practising Certificates by courier services at their own cost, starting from 01 September 2023.
      • The SANC is also embarking on a campaign for Nurse Practitioners to update their personal details to ensure we have recent and correct delivery addresses in our database which will assist with obtaining a higher rate of successful deliveries.

 

  1. BACKGROUND

2.1         Section 36 (2) of the Nursing Act, 2005 (Act No. 33 of 2005) stipulates that a certificate of registration is proof of registration for a period of one year after its date and thereafter an Annual Practising  Certificate, issued upon payment of the prescribed annual fee and the submission of such information as may be required by the Council to keep accurate statistics on human resources in Nursing, is proof of registration in absence of any credible evidence to the contrary.

2.2.        Annual Practising Certificates are currently sent to Nurses Practitioners who individually pay their annual fees by using ordinary mail via the Post Office.

2.3.        The SANC has been inundated with complaints from Nurses Practitioners for not receiving their Annual Practising Certificates on time. In some instances, these are never received by the Nurse Practitioners.

 

  1. UPDATE OF PERSONAL DETAILS

3.1   Obtaining Nurse Practitioners’ recent physical addresses and contact details is essential for the successful delivery of Annual Practising Certificates and the SANC therefore request Nurse Practitioners to update their personal details by following the process below:

 

Step 1: Go to the SANC website: (www.sanc.co.za)

Step 2: On the home page, Go to QUICK LINKS (top, right of the page)

Step 3: Click on: DOWNLOADABLE FORMS

Step 4: Select the form: UPDATE OF CONTACT DETAILS FORM

Step 5: Complete the online form

Step 6: Click on: SEND.

 

3.2   It is important to note that the Nurse Practitioners should update their personal details before making their annual fees payment to ensure that their Annual Practising Certificate is delivered to the correct address.

 

  1. DELIVERY PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS

4.1 ANNUAL PRACTISING CERTIFICATES

4.1.1     Annual Practising Certificates are usually sent using the South African Post Office (SAPO), thus via ordinary mail. However, noting the challenges with SAPO, the SANC will now offer an option to deliver Annual Practising Certificates via courier services at an extra cost to Nurse Practitioners who pay annual fees on their own.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This excludes those who are paid for by their employers/via PERSAL.

4.1.2     Annual Practising Certificates paid by employers will continue to be sent as per the arrangements we have with the various employers. Employers are therefore encouraged to distribute Annual Practising Certificates to their Nurse Practitioners as soon as they receive them from the SANC.

4.1.3     Nurse Practitioners who opt for the delivery of their Annual Practising Certificate by courier will have to pay courier costs together with their annual fees. This will be an indication that the Nurse Practitioner has opted for courier service delivery.

4.1.4     The courier costs will be R70.00 per parcel, which is subject to annual increase (only domestic delivery).

4.1.5     The table below depicts the amount payable by Nurse Practitioners who opt for courier services as their preferred delivery mode:

 

Category of Registration

2024 Annual Fees

Domestic Courier Costs

Amount Payable

Registered Nurse and Midwife – Normal Fees

R780.00

R70.00

R850.00

Registered Nurse and Midwife – 25% Discount

R590.00

R70.00

R660.00

Registered Nurse and Midwife – 50% Discount

R390.00

R70.00

R460.00

Enrolled Nurse – Normal fees

R470.00

R70.00

R540.00

Enrolled Nurse – 25% Discount

R350.00

R70.00

R420.00

Enrolled Nurse – 50% Discount

R230.00

R70.00

R300.00

Auxiliary Nurse – Normal fees

R330.00

R70.00

R400.00

Auxiliary Nurse – 25% Discount

R250.00

R70.00

R320.00

Auxiliary Nurse – 50% Discount

R160.00

R70.00

R230.00

 

4.1.6     Nurse Practitioners will use the same reference for payment of annual fees, for example: 12345678ANLFEES

(This is only an example, the SANC number 12345678 quoted here is fictitious and must  not be used, Nurse Practitioners must use their own SANC number).

4.1.7      Nurse Practitioners who have already paid their 2024 annual fees via the bank from                        01 July 2023 to date should note that their Annual Practising Certificates have been kept aside (not posted) to afford them an opportunity to opt for their Annual Practising Certificate to be delivered by courier. What is required is for them to pay only the courier costs of R70.00

4.1.8     Nurse Practitioners who are mentioned in 4.1.7 above who opt for the delivery of their Annual Practising Certificate will have until 30 September 2023 to pay the courier cost, if payment is not received by this date their Annual Practising Certificate will be sent by post.

4.1.9     The payment code for courier cost is COURAPC (SANCNUMBER FOLLOWED BY COURAPC FOR EXAMPLE 12345678COURAPC)

4.1.10   The process mentioned in 4.1.3 above will apply to Nurse Practitioners who apply for restoration and opt for their Annual Practising Certificate to be delivered by courier i.e. they will have to add R70.00 courier cost to the restoration fees.

4.1.11   Nurse Practitioners who opt NOT to use this service will continue to receive their Annual Practising Certificates via the South African Post Office (SAPO) and will only pay annual fees without courier cost.

4.2   UNDELIVERED/RETURNED PARCELS

4.2.1   When a parcel is unsuccessfully delivered due to the unavailability of the Nurse Practitioner or provision of incorrect details by the Nurse Practitioner, the Nurse Practitioner will be liable for the return cost as charged by the courier company.

4.2.2   Nurse Practitioners will also pay courier cost for re-delivery of the parcel.

 

For further information in respect of this Circular, you are advised to contact Mr. B Manganyi, Acting Manager: Revenue Collections and Sales at bmanganyi@sanc.co.za or Tel: 012 420 1081.

 

                                             ______________                                           

PROF NG MTSHALI                                                                                                   

REGISTRAR AND CEO

SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL

DATE:  ___________________________

   

Click the link below to download the Circular as a PDF

Download PDF