As a young South African student or even an international student, you aspire to make a difference in the health sector by taking up a career in Nursing. That is great but do not neglect the requirements and qualifications involved in Nursing Courses in South Africa.
The fact is that a nursing career offers a range of opportunities for personal growth and development and at the same time provides the medium for improving the lives of others in your community. Nursing is a career that requires commitment, empathy, and a willingness to help others when they’re ill or vulnerable. In South Africa right now, there is an increasing need for skilled nurses. This has made pursuing a nursing career to be both rewarding and fulfilling.
What Are the General Admission Requirements to Study Nursing in South Africa
Generally, to study nursing courses in South Africa one is required to meet the following requirements:
- A Senior Certificate / National Senior Certificate
- Physical Science, Biology, Mathematic, Physiology (recommended subjects)
- English
- A minimum Admission Point Score (APS) of 28.
Please note that these are the common requirements if you wish to study nursing courses in most Nursing Education Institutions (NEIs). This means that there are other specific requirements needed depending on the nursing you want to study.
Therefore, you are expected to meet the specified requirements for the nursing program you want to study rather than the general nursing requirements.
Types of Nursing Qualification in South Africa
There are several nursing courses in South Africa that you can pick from. It all boils down to your personal career goals and aspirations. We are going to list and give a brief description of each of them.
Senior Certificate in Nursing
A Senior Certificate in Nursing provides you with essential skills to become a competent nurse. This programme is generally shorter than a diploma or degree. Remember this article is about exposing the requirements for Nursing Courses. On that note, for you to be eligible for admission, you must meet the following criteria:
- Successful completion of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a total score of at least 16 points.
- A minimum of 40% in English or your home language.
- A minimum of 50% in Life Sciences or Biology.
Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing
This nursing course has the shortest learning duration among all nursing courses in South Africa, with a one-year study term. In order to be admitted to any nursing education institution—private or public nursing colleges—students who wish to pursue a Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing must meet these requirements.
- A Senior National Certificate (NSC)
- An overall NSC score of 16 points with
- At least 40% in English or Home Language
- At least 50% in Life Sciences or Biology
Diploma in Nursing
A Diploma in Nursing offers a much extensive theoretical and practical training. And it equips you for various nursing roles. A Diploma in Nursing covers a broader curriculum and prepares you for more advanced duties compared to a Senior Certificate in Nursing. To be admitted to a Diploma in Nursing program in South Africa, you must meet the following requirements:
- Matriculation or an equivalent qualification.
- You must credit subjects such as Mathematics, English, a First/Home Language, Life Orientation, and Life Science.
- You must have registered as a nurse with the South African Nursing Council.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Four years of study are required for a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Within these four years, you will gain an extensive understanding of nursing theory, research, and practice. Those who want to specialize in a particular field of nursing or pursue leadership roles may find this qualification perfect. However, you have to have fulfilled the following requirements in order to enrol in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at a higher education institution in South Africa:
- Matriculation or an equivalent qualification.
- You must credit subjects such as Mathematics, English, a First/Home Language, Life Orientation, and Life Science.
- You must have registered as a nurse with the South African Nursing Council.
What can you do with my degree?
You have the choice to run a private nursing practice or work in a variety of community hospitals and clinics. There are many different possibilities provided by both the public and private sectors. There are specializations in the following nursing fields available:
- General medical and surgical nursing
- Trauma nursing
- Theatre nursing
- Community nursing
- Psychiatric nursing
- Midwifery
- Paediatric nursing
- Neonatal nursing
- Nursing management
- Nursing Education
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Where Can I Study Nursing in South Africa?
The Goodnews is that South Africa has different institutions where you can pursue nursing courses, such as nursing colleges, public universities, and private colleges. Apart from these ones mentioned, there are still other options available for aspiring nurses. However, for this article, I will just make a simple list of a few schools under each of the institutions mentioned above.
Nursing Colleges
- Ann Latsky Nursing College
- Ga Rankuwa Nursing College,
- Lilitha Nursing College,
- Worcester Nursing School,
- Netcare Education, and more.
Public Institutions
- Chatsmed Candlight
- Life College—Pretoria Learning Centre
- Thohoyandou Nursing School
- University of Pretoria’s Department of Nursing
- The University of South Africa (Unisa)
- University of Free State’s School of Nursing and other public universities.
Private Colleges
- Netcare Education,
- Ithemba Nursing Academy, and
- Thuto Bophelo Nursing Academy, among others.
TIP: It is important to first review the specific admission requirements of the institution you wish to apply to. This is because these requirements are most likely to vary.
How Much Do Nurses Earn?
Being a nurse may be financially rewarding in addition to being a fulfilling job. Depending on your position, you might make anywhere from R12,000 to R30,000 per month as a nurse.
The typical income range for registered nurses and enrolled auxiliary nurses is lower. Nevertheless, experience will also play a role in your pay.
How Much Does Nursing Education Cost?
Depending on what qualifications you want, studying nursing in South Africa might be expensive.
A nursing certificate might cost as little as R20,000 per year, whereas a bachelor’s degree can cost as much as R50,000. At a private college, a higher certificate in nursing can cost around R50,000 for a year of study; however, public universities may provide lower tuition.
The first step if you imagine yourself working as a nurse in the healthcare sector is selecting the appropriate training programme and qualifications. After that, you can work toward meeting the minimum requirements set by the institution you have chosen. By doing this, you can be certain that you fulfil the admission requirements when the time comes to apply.
