How Many Years Does It Take To Become A Nurse In South Africa?
Becoming a nurse in South Africa depends on the type of degree or diploma that you want to complete. There are programs that will take you one year to complete while there are some that will take three or four years to complete.
Well, you don’t need to stress your brain much because you are on the right platform which will give you detailed information about your queries and even more. So, keep reading to find out more about what you need.
How Many Years Does It Take To Become A Nurse In South Africa?
Higher Certificate In Auxiliary Nursing – One Year
In this course, you will learn all the basics of giving care to people. After the one-year course, you will be working under a registered nurse who has completed his/her degree or diploma qualification.
Bachelor Degree In Nursing Sciences – Four Years
With this university degree, you will be able to work as a midwife, general, community, or psychiatry nurse. By the end of this degree, also, you will be equipped with the theoretical and practical components of the field. Public universities like the UCT (University of Cape Town) offer nursing courses in Cape Town as well as the University of the Western Cape, University of KwaZulu-Natal, North-West University, and so on.
Diploma In Nursing – Three Years
With this qualification, you will be equipped to work as an enrolled nurse or staff nurse. The significant difference between this course and the bachelor’s degree is the duration, and so, you should anticipate less detailed information. The diploma in nursing qualification can be found in the Vaal University of Technology, Durban University of Technology, and other universities of technology.
Post-Graduate Advanced Diploma In Nursing – One Year
After completing your diploma and degree, you will be required to go for an advanced degree programme if you desire a career in nursing management. To apply for this advanced diploma programme, you must have had a bachelor’s degree or diploma in nursing. You also need, at least, two years of experience as a midwife or nurse.
Now, that you know about the different programs in nursing and their year of study. What do you think is missing out? Before, you plan of applying for any program; you need to know the requirements first. If you meet up to the requirements that means you are eligible to apply for it.
So, at this point, what do you think are the necessary requirements needed to study nursing in South Africa?
Requirements Needed To Study Nursing In South Africa
There are several routes you need to take to become a qualified nurse in South Africa.
1) A Four-Year Bachelor’s Degree In Nursing
Requirements
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) or an equivalent qualification at exit level 4.
Subjects
- Mathematics
- Life Orientation
- First additional or home language
- Physical Sciences and Life Sciences; all with grades of (50-59%).
2) A Three Year Diploma
Requirements
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) equivalent qualification at exit level 3 or 4.
Subjects
- English
- Life Orientation
- First additional or home language
- Four other Subjects; all with grades of (50-59%).
3) A One Year Higher Certificate In Auxiliary Nursing
Requirements
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) equivalent qualification at exit level 3 or 4.
Subjects
- English
- Life Orientation
- First additional or home language
- Four other Subjects; all with grades of (50-59%).
4). A One Year Postgraduate Advanced Diploma In Nursing And Midwifery On Top Of Your Degree Or Diploma (Postgraduate Advanced Diploma In Nursing)
Requirements
- Must have completed A Diploma in Nursing or Midwifery.
- A Bachelor in Nursing Sciences.
- Two years experience as a professional nurse or midwife; including one year in the field of study interest in the last five years.
I believe by now, you can boldly tell someone the needed requirements to study nursing in South Africa without fear. But, do you know the subject needed to become a nurse in South Africa? Smiles, have you seen your place now? You are now thinking of those subjects. Well, don’t think much because you are to learn.
Subjects Needed To Become A Nurse In South Africa?
For diploma and degree courses, the primary subject requirements to study nursing in South Africa include the following:
- Mathematics
- English
- Life Science
- Life Orientation
- First or home language.
NOTE: It is advisable to have at least an average score in each of the subjects mentioned above.
You still have more to read about this particular content because I want the best for you before you apply for your preferred nursing college in South Africa. You now know the different subjects needed to become a nurse in South Africa. But, how about the requirements needed to become a nurse in South Africa?
What Requirements Are Needed To Become A Nurse?
There are several steps one must take to become a registered nurse in South Africa:
1) Apply and enroll at a credited nursing school by the SA Nursing Council. To obtain an application form, contact your school of choice via email or in-person to collect a form.
2) After completing the studies, new nurses must first complete a year of mandatory community service before entering the workforce.
3) After graduation, the school will send a Certificate of Completion to the SANC.
4) You will then be required to register with the SA Nursing Council.
To register you will need to present the following documents:
- Proof of identity
- Certificate of good character and standing
- Proof of your qualifications
- Prescribed registration fee
- Further reports and information concerning your application as may be required by the registrar
- Finally, you have to sit for the SANC-administered nursing exam that fits with the specific qualification you seek. There are exams for the different categories of nursing professions. To view the exam schedule, visit the SANC’s website.
This is where we had to put a stop to these are informative content. I strongly believe that you have learned a lot from it. I know you might be looking for the lists of accredited nursing colleges in South Africa to take up your nursing career.
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