Career Profile
Nurse
by FundiConnect Editorial Team | 20 June 2023
Career Overview
A nurse is a dedicated healthcare professional who plays a pivotal role in providing compassionate care and patient support. They assess patients’ health conditions, administer medications, provide treatments and procedures and assist with daily activities.
Nurses educate patients and their families about health conditions and preventive measures, advocate for their patient’s rights and preferences and collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive care.
A nurse provides emotional support, maintains accurate records and continuously updates their knowledge to deliver high-quality care. Nurses are at the forefront of patient care, significantly impacting individuals’ well-being and promoting overall health in their communities.
Required School Subjects
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Sciences Entry Requirements:
- English (50-59%)
- First additional or home language (50-59%)
- Life Sciences (50-59%)
- Maths Literacy (50-59%)
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. However, it is not as important that you have taken mathematics and or physical sciences as it is for BCur. You will need:
- English (50-59%)
- First additional or home language (50-59%)
- Four other subjects (50-59%)
- Life Orientation (50-59%)
Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing Entry requirements:
- You will need a National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification at exit level 3 or 4, depending on the institution, to qualify to study this course, however, it is not as important that you have taken mathematics, physical sciences or life sciences as it is for the BCur. You will also need:
- English (50-59%)
- First additional or home language (50-59%)
- Four other subjects (50-59%)
- Life orientation (50-59%)
Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Nursing Entry Requirements:
- Bachelor in Nursing Sciences or equivalent or a degree and comprehensive diploma
- Diplomas in nursing and midwifery
- Advanced Diploma in midwifery, staff nurse and advanced diploma
Institution and APS
For most universities in South Africa, a minimum APS score of 21 points is needed for admission, but you’ll find that certain universities require a higher score than others.
According to the Western Cape College of Nursing, the minimum entry requirements for a diploma in Nursing is:
- Grade 12 (Std 10) – Minimum 28 APS points
Some of the most reputable institutions which over studies in nursing include:
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- University of Pretoria (TUKS)
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
There are also a variety of smaller nursing colleges that focus solely on nurse training which ensures that the practical element of the education and training is covered.
Required Qualifications
To qualify as a nurse, there are four options for you to pursue:
- A 4-year bachelor degree in nursing
- A 3-year diploma
- A 1-year higher certificate in auxiliary nursing
- 1-year postgraduate advanced diploma in nursing and midwifery on top of your degree or diploma.
After you get your qualification, you have to register with the SANCA (South Africa Nursing Council).
Working Hours
A registered nurse works in a two-week cycle. They have a long week where they work on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. The next week is a short week and is just the Wednesday and Thursday. They work 14 days in a 28-day cycle. If you’re a staff nurse/sister, you get to work overtime. You work for 12 hours, get paid overtime, and you get paid pretty well. Pay is double on a Saturday night – R1,500. Day pay is R700 and overtime is over and above your salary.
This is as set out by SANC (South African Nursing Council).
Expected Salary
It’s important to note that the average salary of a nurse may vary, pending on experience, qualifications, specialisation, geographic location and the employing institution. However, the average salary of a nurse in South Africa is approximately R23 000 per month, or R276 000 per year.
What to Expect
Bachelor Degree in Nursing Sciences:
The degree consists of both a compulsory practical clinical training component and a theoretical component. Once you have completed a BCur or equivalent, you can register with SANC. The Bcur usually prepares you in four specifics fields:
- General nursing (working in hospitals and medical practices)
- Community nursing
- Psychiatric nursing
- Midwifery (caring for mothers and babies)
Your course will have a practical component. You will learn how to do the kind of practical work you will need to be able to do when you become a nurse. In the theoretical component, you will learn the theory of what it is to be a nurse and you will study medical, biological and natural sciences, psychological and social sciences, and pharmacology so that you have the knowledge you need to be competent and successful healthcare professional.
