|
|
Circular 1/2018 1 February 2018
Phasing out of 'legacy' qualifications
1. PURPOSE
2. PHASING OUT OF THE ‘LEGACY’ NURSING QUALIFICATIONS Based on:
The implications of the phasing out of the ‘legacy’ nursing programmes for the affected NEIs are as follows:
The SANC wishes to remind all NEI’s that are affected in respect of the above-mentioned programmes that May 2018 is the last examination date for the two-year programme leading to Enrolment as a Nurse, and that no further examinations for this programme shall be undertaken by the SANC.
3. REMOVAL OF NAMES OF NURSING EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN NURSING COUNCIL (SANC) WEBSITE Institutions that are accredited by the SANC to offer nursing programmes are published on the SANC website in order to provide the public with up-to-date information. Prospective students and the general public are encouraged to visit the SANC website to verify the name of the institution where they want to register for a nursing programme, in order to ensure that they do not apply at bogus schools.
Noting that displaying the names of NEIs that are no longer offering any nursing programme(s) on the SANC website could create confusion for potential nursing students who want to register for nursing programmes, the Council of the South African Nursing Council at its meeting held on 29-30 November 2017 took the following resolutions:
4. REGISTRATION OF LEARNERS/STUDENTS UNDERGOING NURSING EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES In terms of section 32(1) of the Nursing Act No. 33 of 2005, “a person undergoing education and training in nursing must apply to the Council to be registered as a learner nurse or a learner midwife”.
The responsibility to register learners / students resides with the Head/ Person in charge of the NEI as provided for in section 32(3) of the Act, as follows: “The person in charge of a Nursing Education Institution must, within 30 days, notify and furnish to the Council information prescribed by the Council in respect of each learner who has commenced, completed, transferred to or abandoned a nursing education and training programme”. (Our emphasis added.) These provisions in the Act are applicable to all students, both under-graduates and post-graduates.
The provisions also place increased responsibility on the persons in charge of health facilities that are used as clinical facilities by different NEIs, as provided for in section 32(5) of the Act, as follows: “A health establishment must not allow access to clinical facilities for training purposes to anyone who is not registered in terms of this Act.’’
Currently some Higher Education Institutions are not compliant with these provisions, especially in respect of students undergoing nursing programmes in Clinical Nursing Science leading to registration of an additional qualification (Government Notice No. R212 of 1993). This gives rise to many actual and potential challenges, including but not limited to the following:
All NEIs are therefore reminded of these provisions and are urged to comply with them in respect of ALL learners/students. Failure to comply will render learners/students illegible to access clinical facilities, and result in refusal by the SANC to grant a registration certificate on completion of education and training.
5. MAINTENANCE OF ENROLMENT OR REGISTRATION FOR LEARNERS/STUDENTS WHO ARE PURSUING UNDERGRADUATE (BASIC) OR POSTGRADUATE (ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS) STUDIES This Circular serves as a reminder that all learners/students who are pursuing basic studies or additional qualifications must maintain their enrolment/registration with the SANC, failing which the education and training that was done while a learner/student was removed from the register/roll will be considered null and void.
IMPLEMENTATION DATE: This Circular becomes implementable on the date of issue.
For further information on this Circular, you are advised to contact the Senior Manager: Education and Training, Ms SJ Nxumalo at (012) 420 1022 or at jnxumalo@sanc.co.za Kind regards,
(Signed) Ms S Mchunu
|
|
