How to Become A Pediatric Nurse In South Africa

Pediatric nurses are registered nurses who specialize in caring for patients from birth through adolescence.

How long is a pediatric nursing course?

This is completed over one year and provides an introduction to clinical and professional healthcare, enabling you to progress on to this course on successful completion (subject to meeting progression criteria, please visit the Introduction to Health Sciences course page for more details).

Do nurses have to be good at math?

Nursing in the “real world” generally requires very basic math skills, but almost all programs require at least one college-level math class — usually algebra. Some nursing schools may require a basic statistics course as well, so if you know what schools you’re applying to, be sure to check for this requirement.

What grades do you need to be a pediatric nurse?

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need: 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science. 2 or 3 A levels, including a science, or a level 3 diploma or access to higher education in health, science or nursing.

Below is How to Become A Pediatric Nurse In South Africa

Qualifying to work as a pediatric nurse requires education, training, and licensure. These steps can guide you on your journey.

1. Determine what education you’ll need:

You can be a pediatric nurse with an associate or bachelor’s degree. While it’s quicker to get an associate degree, you may find more job opportunities with a bachelor’s degree.

2. Graduate from an accredited program:

A high-quality program will be accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

3. Get licensed as a registered nurse (RN):

As you near graduation, you’ll want to register for the NCLEX-RN exam, a national exam that you must pass to qualify for an RN license. These licenses are issued by individual states.

4. Gain experience in pediatric nursing:

There are many ways to get experience in pediatric nursing, including doing clinical hours in pediatrics as part of your degree or volunteering in the community.

5. Earn certification as a pediatric nurse:

Take your education further by getting a certification like the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) credential. Certification demonstrates knowledge and expertise and shows your commitment to a field or specialty.

Skills and Traits of a Successful Pediatric Nurse

These skills and traits can help you shine in this field.

Communication: Pediatric nurses need to communicate with patients in a way that makes them feel safe. They also need to have effective communication skills to discuss the concerns of parents.

Creativity: Sometimes pediatric nurses need to be creative to engage with their patients, especially younger ones. “Hospitals can sometimes be boring, so being creative (in addressing) their specific needs can go a long way,” says Leon. “One time I played a game of Uno with a patient to gain their trust; then they let me do vital signs and a physical assessment.”

Time Management: Nurses need to be able to juggle patient care and administrative tasks to work efficiently. This can be especially true for pediatric nurses. “Kids play by their own rules, so you need to be able to manage time well for whatever they throw at you,” says Leon.

Problem Solving: Pediatric nurses will often need to identify health problems and then start care. Excellent problem-solving skills can help you succeed and add to patient safety.

Compassion: A big dose of compassion is sometimes the best care a pediatric nurse can provide. “To kids, this could very well be the scariest thing they have had to deal with,” says Leon. Being able to sympathize with what a patient is experiencing will help the visit go more smoothly.

Subspecialty Certifications for Pediatric Nurses

Some pediatric nurses specialize even further out of personal interest or for more job opportunities. Some of the most popular subspecialty certifications include:

CPON: Certified Pediatric Oncology Nurse

CHPPN: Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse

CPEN: Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse

CPHON: Certified Pediatric Hematology Oncology Nurse

RNC-NIC: Registered Nurse Certification-Neonatal Intensive Care

How long does it take to become a pediatric nurse in South Africa?

This course is only three years long and also consists of practical and theoretical work. After you have completed this qualification you are able to work as a registered staff nurse or enrolled nurse.

What are the requirements to study nursing in South Africa?

How do I become a nurse in South Africa?

Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing — One year.

Bachelor Degree in Nursing Sciences — Four years.

Diploma in Nursing — Three years.

Post-graduate Advanced Diploma in Nursing — One year.

1) A four-year bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Requirements:

Subjects.

2) A three-year diploma.

How long is a pediatric nursing course In South Africa?

This is completed over one year and provides an introduction to clinical and professional healthcare, enabling you to progress on to this course on successful completion (subject to meeting progression criteria, please visit the Introduction to Health Sciences course page for more details).

What subjects are needed to become a pediatric nurse In South Africa?

Recommended Coursework

Typical courses may include health assessment, principles of nursing, community health nursing, coordination of care, nursing research, anatomy, leadership in nursing, clinical nursing skills, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and nursing care for children and families.

Do nurses have to be good at math?

Nursing in the “real world” generally requires very basic math skills, but almost all programs require at least one college-level math class usually algebra. Some nursing schools may require a basic statistics course as well, so if you know what schools you’re applying to, be sure to check for this requirement

What grades do you need to be a pediatric nurse?

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need: 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science. 2 or 3 A levels, including a science, or a level 3 diploma or access to higher education in health, science or nursing.

How much does it cost to study nursing in South Africa?

Basic Diplomas:

Diploma in Nursing (General. Community, Psychiatry) and Midwifery: Four Years: R425. Diploma in General Nursing Science (bridging Course): Two Years: R683. Diploma in One Year Midwifery: One Year: R254.

How many years does it take to become a nurse 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.

Do student nurses get paid in South Africa?

The total bursary per year of study is R30 000 for the enrolled programme and R36 000 for the 4-year diploma course. This indicates that the student nurses in the enrolled programme receive a monthly stipend of R2500 and the 4-year diploma student nurses an amount of R3000 without additional benefits.

How much does a nurse earn per month in South Africa?

The average salary for a Nurse in SA is R 341 620 gross per year (R 28 470 gross per month), which is 21% higher than the South Africa’s national average salary. Salary Range: a Nurse can expect an average starting basic salary of R 144 200. The highest salaries can exceed R 583 500 (excluding benefits and allowances).