24 May 2004

To all:    Nursing Education Institutions
             Non-training Institutions
             Nursing Stakeholders

Distinguishing Devices: Increase in Price of Postage and Additional Requirements when Purchasing Distinguishing Devices at the Counter

A copy of the new application form for distinguishing devices, with increased postage and additional requirements when purchasing distinguishing devices at the Council counter, is attached.

The additional requirements when purchasing distinguishing devices at the Council counter are:

	The person who purchases the devices at the counter must present his/her own ID document for verification by the cashier. For this purpose only, Council will accept an ID Book, credit card type driver’s licence, or passport as a valid ID document. Distinguishing devices will not be supplied to a person who cannot produce the necessary ID DOCUMENT.
	If you send someone else to purchase distinguishing devices on your behalf, you must send a letter with him/her indicating the full names and ID number of the person authorized by you to receive the distinguishing devices on your behalf. Distinguishing devices will not be supplied to a person who cannot produce the necessary LETTER OF AUTHORIZATION.

These changes (and the new form) are effective from 01 June 2004.

It is extremely important that this information is brought to the attention of all nurses and midwives to avoid problems that might otherwise occur when purchasing distinguishing devices. Your cooperation in this regard is greatly appreciated.

Please destroy or dispose off all old forms in your possession.

Extra copies of the form are obtainable from the Council on request. Please make telephonic arrangements beforehand if you require large quantities.

Please contact Ms M. Mulder at telephone (012) 420 1080 for any enquiries.

(Signed: H Subedar)
Registrar and CEO
The S A Nursing Council

6 November 2003

To all:    Nursing Education Institutions
             Nursing Stakeholders

Year End Closure  20 December 2003 to 4 January 2004

The South African Nursing Council will close its offices for the Christmas holidays at 16:00 on 19 December 2003 and will re-open at 08:00 on 05 January 2004.

Please contact the Communications Officer at telephone (012) 420 1000 for any enquiries.

(Signed: H Subedar)
Hasina Subedar
Registrar and CEO

28 October 2003

To all:    Nursing Education Institutions
             Nursing Stakeholders

Retention of Credits for Papers / Components Passed in Examinations Conducted by the South African Nursing Council

The Executive Committee of 25 & 26 September 2003 resolved to withdraw Circular 6/2002 and to implement the following resolutions:

1. Examination results for the following programmes will, in future, indicate marks for each paper / component:

1.1    Diploma in Midwifery for Registration as a Midwife (GN No. R.254 of 14 February 1975 as amended)

1.2    Diploma in Psychiatric Nursing for Registration as a Psychiatric Nurse (GN No. R.880 of 2 May 1975 as amended)

1.3    Bridging Course for enrolled nurses leading to registration as a general nurse or a psychiatric nurse (GN No. R.683 of 14 April 1989 as amended) Final examination only.

2. A candidate shall retain credits for each paper / portion passed and only rewrite the paper(s) / portion(s) failed or repeat the clinical practica, irrespective of the mark (percentage) obtained.
3. A candidate who has failed the examination for the first time need not apply to rewrite. Entry into the next examination will be effected administratively provided the Application form for admission or re-admission to the examination and the prescribed fees reach the Council before the closing date for the particular examination.
4. A candidate who fails at the second attempt shall be registered as a pupil / student to undergo academic support through an approved nursing education institution offering the particular program and thereafter rewrite the failed portion(s) / paper(s). The duration of the academic support will be determined by the learning needs of the candidate as identified by both the candidate and the nursing education institution.

Your co-operation in implementing this resolution and advising the candidates accordingly is highly appreciated.

Yours faithfully,

(Signed: G Ramadi)
Dr G Ramadi
for The Registrar

28 October 2003

To all:    Nursing Education Institutions
             Nursing Stakeholders

Criteria for Registration of Constituent Assessors by the South African Nursing Council

1. Background

The South African Nursing Council established under the Nursing Act, 1978 (Act No. 50 of 1978) as amended, is a statutory body that is charged with quality assuring of standards of nursing education and training.

In terms of Section 5(1)(a)(ii) of the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Act, the South African Nursing Council was accredited as an Education and Training Quality Assurance Body in November 2000. As an ETQA, it has to fulfill the following functions:

	Accredit providers of nursing programmes;
	Promote quality amongst constituent providers;
	Monitor nursing programmes;
	Evaluate assessment and facilitate moderation amongst constituent providers;
	Register constituent assessors for unit standards and qualifications falling within its primary focus;
	Certificate learners;
	Co-operate with relevant moderating bodies;
	Recommend new standards or qualifications to National Standards Bodies or modifications to existing standards and qualifications;
	Maintain a database of learners, providers, etc; and
	Submit reports to SAQA.

In respect of assessment, the SANC – ETQA has the following role:

	Evaluate assessment and facilitate moderation among its constituent providers i.e. nursing education institutions;
	Formulate criteria for registration of assessors;
	Register constituent assessors for specific registered unit standards and / or qualifications.

2. Purpose of registration of assessor

In accordance with the ETQA Regulations, providers of education and training are required to have assessment systems (policies, procedures, review mechanisms) in place. For this reason, people who assess or intend to assess candidates against unit standards and /or qualifications need to undergo training according to the Generic Assessment Unit Standards accredited by the Education Training and Development Practices Sector Education Training Authority (ETDP/SETA). This will ensure consistency of practice in assessment, and will ensure that principles of assessment (fairness, validity, authenticity and consistency) are maintained.

Although it is generally acknowledged that people who have been involved in assessment processes such as teachers, trainers, nurse educators (tutors), managers and workplace supervisors are recognized as assessors, however, certification for the Generic Assessment Unit Standards is a requirement that should be obtained by undergoing training.

Providers of education and training are therefore expected to enable facilitators of learning in their employ to train as assessors by accredited providers of assessor training.

An updated list of accredited providers of assessor training can be obtained from the Education Training and Development Practices (ETDP) SETA at the address or on the ETDP SETA website.

Education, Training and Development Practices SETA
Quality Assurance and Development Division
P O Box 5734
RIVONIA
2128

Phone : 011 – 8075621
Fax : 011 – 8-77490

Website: www.etdpseta.org.za

3. Requirements for registration

The South African Nursing Council will register persons (as assessors) who meet the following requirements inter alia:

3.1    Submission of a certificate of competence against the Generic Assessment Unit Standards.

3.2    Relevant teaching and/or clinical experience.

3.3    Proof of registration with the South African Nursing Council against a specific qualification.

3.4    Proof of registration of a specific unit standards and/or qualification/s that s/he intends assessing (this will only apply once the unit standard generation is completed by the nursing Standard Generating Body (SGB) and these are registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF)).

4. The process of registration will be as follows:
   

• • Submission of a letter of intent to register as an assessor
  • Completion and submission of an application form for registration as an assessor to the South African Nursing Council
  • Payment of the required application fee
  • Registration if the provided data and requirements comply with the set criteria
  • Issuing of a certificate valid for 4 years

5. Application fee
   

An application fee of R114.00 (VAT inclusive) will be charged per application

The application fee will not be refunded irrespective of the outcome of the application

The application fee is subject to increase as determined by the Council

6. Period of registration:

The period of registration as an assessor shall be 4 years.

7. De-registration of assessors

Assessors in the nursing sector that are registered by the South African Nursing Council (SANC-ETQA), will be de-registered if they:

	do not comply with the requirements as stipulated by the SANC
	are found not to be competent
	are removed from the register for any reason.

8. Appeals Procedure

If an application as an assessor is rejected, the applicant has the right to appeal against such a decision. The following procedure will be followed:

	The applicant will write to the Council, stating the nature of appeal
	The matter shall be resolved between the applicant and the council
	If the applicant is still not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal, a letter of appeal may be sent to South African Qualifications Authority.

For more information please do not hesitate to contact the Deputy Registrar at telephone numbers (012) 420 1000 / 60.

(Signed: G Ramadi)
Dr. G Ramadi
for The Registrar

Download a copy of the application form for registration as assessor  (no longer available on this website)

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2003-09-04

To all Training Institutions, Nursing Stakeholders and Invigilators

Examinations to be held during the year 2004

The proposed Schedule of examinations for the calendar year 2004 is published for your information.

Click here to view the schedule.

Please note that examinations will only be held when there are candidates registered for that particular examination.

Enquiries can be directed to Ms Marga Cronje at telephone (012) 420 1079.

(Signed: G Ramadi)
pp Registrar and CEO
S A Nursing Council

28 July 2003

TO ALL:    Nursing Education Institutions, Non-Training Institutions and Stakeholders

Draft Regulations Regarding Professional Identification Devices and Dress Code for Nurses and Midwives

The Draft Regulations regarding Professional Identification Devices and Dress Code for Nurses and Midwives was published for public comment in Government Notice No. R.997 on 11 July 2003.

These draft regulations are intended to replace all existing regulations pertaining to distinguishing devices.

The primary objective of these Regulations is to replace the existing distinguishing devices with identification devices that:

	Improve the control of nursing practice by preventing unqualified persons from practising as nurses;
	Assist employers to access the Council’s database to verify qualifications of nurses; and
	Assist health care users to easily identify information regarding the category of nurse providing nursing care.

The draft regulations focus on 2 areas:

1.    Dress Code: the primary focus of the dress code is to:

	Maintain the professional image of the nursing profession;
	Ensure that the dress code is appropriate for the context within which nursing care is provided;
	Ensure that both the health care user and the nurse are protected; and
	Grant the employer the responsibility to maintain an appropriate dress code.

2.    Identification devices: 2 identification devices will be issued:

An identification card containing all the relevant details of the nurse (format similar to a driver’s licence). This device will be linked to a database that will provide details regarding the qualifications and registration status of a nurse thereby providing employers with easy access to information to verify the details of a nurse. It will also assist with preventing unlicensed persons from practising the profession of nursing.

The second device is an identification badge that a practitioner will wear at all times while practising as a nurse.

Both of these identification devices are intended to replace the existing distinguishing devices.

Comments or representations must be submitted to the Department of Health, Private Bag X828, Pretoria, 0001 by 10 September 2003.

A copy of the draft regulations can be found on this website. (English / Afrikaans) (This proposal has since been put in abeyance – to be looked at later)

For further information please contact:

South African Nursing Council

Corporate Communications
Telephone: (012) 420 1000/66/16

Signed
Hasina Subedar
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer

14 May 2003

TO ALL:    Nursing Education Institutions, Non-Training Institutions and Stakeholders

Annual Licensing Fee Increase

You are hereby notified that the annual licensing fee is increased with effect from 26 June 2003 as follows:

In respect to payments made prior to 26 June 2003:

1. A person who has paid the annual fee prior to the above date will not have to pay the difference between the old and the new fee.
2. If a fee has been paid via postal services, such person will not be expected to pay the difference if the posting date on the article is before 26 June 2003.
3. Payments through the bank: Persons making payments via the bank from 26 June 2003 will be liable to pay the difference before an annual receipt is issued.

Copies of the regulation amendments published in Government Gazette No. 25077 of 13 June 2003 are available on this web site for your information – click on the links below.

	Regulation amendment for Registered Nurses  (The principal regulations to which these amendments apply have subsequently been repealed.)
	Regulation amendment for Enrolled Nurses  (The principal regulations to which these amendments apply have subsequently been repealed.)
	Regulation amendment for Nursing Auxiliaries  (The principal regulations to which these amendments apply have subsequently been repealed.)

Signed
Hasina Subedar
Registrar and Chief Executive Officer