What Is Nursing
Nursing is a profession within the health care sector focused on the care of individuals, families, and communities so they may attain, maintain, or recover optimal health and quality of life.
Entry Requirements To Study Nursing In South Africa
Nursing is one of the most recognized professions in South Africa. Nurses are a very important part of the health sector, they provide care for the community.
There are different cadre of nurses in South Africa based on the length and depth of training received by the individual before joining the healthcare system.
To join ay of the cadre of nursing in South Africa, you must have passed through a nursing school. Many nursing schools are owned by universities and they carry out their training at a hospital or a well-equipped facility.
If you want to study nursing at a university or go to a nursing school, you need a good grade in high school. Start by doing everything possible to score high in your NSC exam in subjects like English, Mathematics, First or Home Language, Life Orientation, and Life Sciences
The next important step is to determine which cadre of nurses you want and the best program to take to achieve your aim. Below are the nursing programs available in South Africa:
Senior Certificate in Nursing
Diploma in Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Some Universities offer undergraduate degrees called Baccalaureus Curationis (BCur) as an alternative.
In this post, you are going to find all the information you need regarding the requirements to study nursing in South Africa. We will provide you with each nursing program and its requirements for admission.
Requirements to study Nursing in South Africa
Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing
This is a one-year program where you will be trained on all you need to know on patient care. After completing a Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing, you can seek employment at a healthcare delivery facility to work under a Registered Nurse (a nurse with a Diploma or Degree).
An auxiliary nurse is responsible for giving a report to a registered nurse or doctor, they spend more time with the patients compared to the Doctors and Registered Nurses.
Requirements for Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing Program:
National Senior Certificate pass (certified)
English or home language at least 40% (NSC level 3) as a home language or first additional language.
Life Science/ Biology 50% or more (NSC level 5)
An overall NSC score of at least 16 points.
Diploma in Nursing
This is the program that makes you a Staff Nurse, the Diploma in Nursing is a three-year program. It equipped potential nurses with the detailed knowledge they need in the healthcare sector to become staff nurses.
The staff nurses are very important to the healthcare sector, they are part of the everyday activities of any medical team. They take part in all healthcare delivery.
The Requirements for Diploma in Nursing are:
Grade 12 (Standard 10) or equivalent.
Pass the following subjects; Mathematics, English, First or Home Language, Life Orientation, Life Science
You must enroll as a nurse with the South African Nursing Council.
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Sciences
This is a four-year degree program where students are trained in Nursing Science. The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science is a very broad and deep program of nursing science that trains students with in-depth knowledge of patient care.
With Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science, you are eligible to work as a psychiatry nurse, midwife, general nurse practitioner, and so on. The degree will give you the title of a Registered Nurse, you are expected to be able to handle both theoretical and practical sides of nursing.
Requirements for Bachelor’s Degree In Nursing Sc.:
Grade 12 (Standard 10) or equivalent.
Pass the following subjects; Mathematics, English, First or Home Language, Life Orientation, Life Science
You must enroll as a nurse with the South African Nursing Council.
Advanced Diploma in Nursing
This is a one-year program that gives that provides nurses with all advanced training on patient care. It provides the further knowledge needed to take on a leading role in nursing.
An Advanced Diploma in Nursing will make you set for a career in nursing management. They need the following general requirements just like the other program to enroll for this program;
Grade 12 (Standard 10) or equivalent.
Pass the following subjects; Mathematics, English, First or Home Language, Life Orientation, Life Science
You must enroll as a nurse with the South African Nursing Council.
Apart from the above requirements, you also need the following requirements for the Advanced Diploma in Nursing;
Possess a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or at least a Diploma in Nursing
You must have two years of hands-on experience as a nurse or a midwife
Show considerable confidence in carrying out your duties.
Schools 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
What marks do you need for nursing in South Africa?
Diploma in Nursing Entry Requirements:
You will need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification at a level 3 or 4, depending on the institution, to qualify to study the course.
English (50-59%)
First additional or home language (50-59%)
Four other subjects (50-59%)
Life Orientation (50-59%)
What qualifications do I need to be a nurse in South Africa?
To qualify as a nurse, you can do one of the following:
a four-year bachelor degree in nursing (BCur– Bachelor of Nursing Science, Education & Administration)
a three-year diploma.
a one-year higher certificate in auxiliary nursing.
What subjects are required to study nursing in South Africa ?
What Matric Subjects Do You Need to Study Nursing?
Mathematics.
English.
Life Science.
Life Orientation.
Any other African Language.
How many years does it take to study nursing in South Africa?
4-year
Nursing is a 4-year full time course. During your studies you’ll gain an integrated learning and work experience at hospitals and various clinical facilities.
Can I study nursing without maths and science in South Africa ?
Yes, you can. You have to go through a few science subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, microbiology, chemistry, and a little bit of basic mathematics in order to study nursing in full. Nurses – much like doctors – must be a font of all medical knowledge.
Can I study nursing without maths in South Africa?
Requirements in order to study nursing in South Africa
It is recommended that you take Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, but this is not compulsory at all institutions.
What do nurses earn in South Africa?
According to the Public Service Co-coordinating Bargaining Council of South Africa, Nurses can expect to earn between R160,600 and R459,200 annually. CapRelo’s data showed that nurses in SA average (R302,000) annually..
Do student nurses get paid in South Africa?
Students do not get paid because they do not “work” during the course of their studies. These practical hours that the students have to do are set (prescribed) by the South African Nursing Council.