In the health care system, nurses are the eyes, ears, and voice between doctors and patients. They are often seen making sure that all is well with a patient, especially when the doctors are not there. Also, nurses are expected to give all care necessary to facilitate the recovery of patients. As a result, it takes a lot of commitment to become a nurse anywhere in the world and more so in Johannesburg, South Africa. The basic step is to graduate from an accredited nursing college. Below is a list of nursing colleges you will find in Joburg.
Joburg Nursing Colleges and their Admission Requirements
Across the length and breadth of South Africa, there are accredited colleges offering nursing training to interested students. In Johannesburg, the following are the best and most sought-after nursing colleges.
1. Khanyisa Nursing School
- Address: 234 Donnelly St, Rosettenville, Johannesburg, 2190, South Africa
- Year Founded: March 1995
- Founder: NA
Khanyisa Nursing School is a private higher institution whose mission is to train; transfer knowledge and skills to nursing students in the most cost-effective way. The nursing college offers a variety of programs across its 4 campuses in Johannesburg (main campus), Kroonstan, Witbank, and Tonga, which are all sub-campuses.
Degrees and Requirements
- Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing – applicants accredited with CHE, registered with SAQA, and those provisionally registered with DHET.
- Diploma in Nursing – applicants accredited with CHE, registered with SAQA, provisionally registered with DHET, and those waiting for SANC accreditation.
- Bridging course
- Diploma in Midwifery
2. Lunghile Nursing School
- Address: 117 Oxford Rd, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 2132, South Africa
- Year Founded: Not Available
- Founder: Ms. Kgomotso Shiluvane
Lunghile Nursing School runs a national and internationally accredited professional nursing program for all levels. The college with its campuses in Johannesburg and East London is structured to offer certificates in auxiliary nursing (1 year), diplomas (3 years), and degrees (4 years) to nursing students who are either starting their nursing careers or changing their careers to nursing. The attitude of hard work they imbibe in their students has paid off greatly as Lunghile Nursing School is renowned for turning out nurses that are exceptionally hardworking and knowledgeable in the profession.
Degrees and Requirements
- Certificate – the minimum entry requirement is a C- in relevant combinations of subjects: mathematics, physical science, biology, physics, chemistry, English.
- Diploma and Degree – a total of C plain and C plain or above in English and biology and a C- in one of Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry.
3. Netcare Training Academy
- Address: 2 Bunting Rd, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Year Founded: 1989
- Founder: Not Available
Netcare Training Academy is one of South Africa’s oldest nursing training institutions. It started about 35 years ago and has grown into a network of 6 campuses with the head office being in Sandton. Others are in Joburg, Pretoria, Kwazulu-Natal, Western Cape, and Eastern Cape. Across these campuses, they offer training and award certifications in general nursing (2 years), basic diploma in nursing (4 years), post-basic diploma in nursing (1 year), bachelor’s degree in nursing (4 years), diploma in nursing (3 years), a higher certificate in auxiliary nursing (1 year) and an advanced diploma in midwifery (1 year).
Different entry requirements exist for any particular course a student wants to study.
Degrees and Requirements
- Certificate course in nursing – C- in a combination of relevant subjects.
- Diploma – aggregate of C plain and C plain or above in English, Biology and a C- in one of Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics.
4. Ann Latsky Nursing College
- Address: No 37 Plunkett Ave, Hurst Hill, Johannesburg, 2092, South Africa
- Year Founded: 1951
- Founder: Not Available
Ann Latsky Nursing College was formally known as Witwatersrand College of Nursing back in the ’80s. The college is affiliated with the University of Johannesburg, thus, all the education and training they offer are per the university’s guidelines. The nursing college offers a basic nursing diploma program which runs for 4 years. Students will be tested in theory for lectures they have received and also in practice during their clinical training.
The general entry requirement into the college for applicants varies depending on the qualification they have.
Degrees and Requirements
- Senior Certificate – applicants with thus should have an English pass rate of at least D HG or C SG and a biology pass rate of at least D HG or C SG. A minimum of 15 points is necessary to obtain admission to Phase 2.
- National Senior Certificate – applicants with this should have an English pass rate of at least 50%, life science pass rate of 50%. A minimum of 25 points is necessary to obtain admission to Phase 2.
Applicants who meet any of the criteria will be invited for phase 2 after which those successful will be invited for phase 3 interview.
5. Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College
- Address: 26 Chris Hani Rd, Diepkloof 319-Iq, Johannesburg, 1864, South Africa
- Year Founded: 1982
- Founder: Gauteng Provincial Department of Health
Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital which owns the Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College is the largest hospital in the whole of Africa and the third-largest hospital in the entire world. The hospital began operation in 1942 while its nursing college followed 40 years after in 1982. It is divided into various departments, one of which is the nursing college that runs independently.
The nursing college offers training to students in a 4-year diploma program in nursing, 2-year course for enrolled nurses, post-basic nursing science courses (1-year midwifery course), advanced diplomas in midwifery, and neonatal nursing science. Other training they offer are in community health, ophthalmology, child nursing, critical care, orthopedics, operating room technique, renal, trauma, palliative, oncology, and primary health care.
Degrees and Requirements
The general entry requirement into Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College requires that applicants must have a certificate or report with English Level 3 and above/E symbol – old certificate and Biology (Life Sciences) Level 4 and above/D symbol –old certificates, other science subjects (Physical Science, Mathematics, Geography, Agriculture, Life Orientation) will be an added advantage as the Admission Point System (with minimum points of 18) will be utilized to select these candidates.
6. Mpilo Royal College Of Health Education
- Address: 21 Kruis Street, 2nd Floor Unit 203 Marshalltown Johannesburg
- Year Founded: 2006
- Founder: Mr. Mduduzi Moyo
Mpilo Royal College Of Health Education is one of the newest nursing colleges in Joburg as the institution is only about 18 years old. The school specializes in offering health education to previously disadvantaged communities and has been able to attain giant strides thereof. They offer training for the award of a diploma in nursing and an advanced diploma in midwifery. To gain admission into any of these courses, an applicant needs to meet the following criteria.
Degrees and Requirements
- Diploma in Nursing: Staff Nurse NQF Level 6: (3-years) – applicants must have National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification at exit levels 3 and 4. They should also pass these subjects communication skills at NQF Level 4, mathematical literacy at NQF Level 4, computer literacy at NQF Level 3, and life science at NQF level 4.
- Advanced Diploma in Midwifery NQF Level 7 (1 Year) – applicants who are desirous of enrolling into this program must have the relevant and equivalent nursing/ Staff nurse and/or Professional nurse (General) and also National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification at exit level 3 and 4. The subjects they need to pass are the same as those for the diploma in the nursing program.
Which is Easier; Getting a Nursing Degree From a University or a Nursing Diploma From a Nursing College?
It takes a minimum of 1 to 3 years to earn a nursing certificate or diploma from a nursing college while it takes a minimum of 4 years to earn a nursing degree from a university. Therefore, the choice is all yours but this is depending on how far you want to go with the profession as there are limitations to what you can do with a diploma.
Usually, it takes a shorter time to qualify as a nurse if you are going through the route of nursing colleges than when you enroll directly into a university to study the same course. The course structure is also a bit different though almost the same in content in both a nursing college and university. Also, nursing colleges are more practical-oriented while universities are somewhat more theoretical. It is also important that you consider the certificate you will earn at the end of your study, depending on whether you studied nursing in a college or university.
In a nursing college, the duration of your study will be anything from one year to 3 years depending on the particular program you enrolled to study.
- A 3-year study earns you a diploma in nursing
- A 1-year study earns you a higher certificate in auxiliary nursing
After you complete your studies in a nursing college and satisfactorily pass all your exams, you will be able to work as a registered nurse or an enrolled nurse in any hospital or health center where your services are needed.
In a university, the minimum number of years you will study is 4 years, this can be higher in other countries.
- A four-year study will earn you a Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BCur– Bachelor of Nursing Science, Education & Administration).
After your studies and with your certificate, you can apply as a nurse in any hospital or health center where your services are needed. You will also be able to further your studies by going for a Master’s degree in nursing.
Ultimately, the question of whether it is easier to get a nursing qualification from a nursing college or university does not have a straightforward answer. There are many things to consider, some of which might be personal for a student to make his or her final decision. In the end, the decision will rely on how some of these considerations affect you personally. While you ponder on that, here’s a recap of all that you need to study nursing in a college, university and the certifications you will earn thereof.
General Entry Requirements For a Nursing Diploma
Though different nursing colleges in and outside Johanessburg have peculiar requirements all students wishing to study nursing in their college must-have, they all have the same basic requirement across the board as per South African Nursing Council (SANC) regulations.
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification at exit level 3 or 4 with English (50-59%), Life Orientation (50-59%), First additional or home language (50-59%), and Four other subjects (50-59%).
Unlike what is obtainable, it is not mandatory in some nursing colleges that you pass mathematics and/or physical sciences subjects. Also, students studying nursing in nursing college typically learn how to provide nursing care to patients, diagnose and treat minor illnesses as well as provide reproductive care. The duration of their course is shorter so they don’t go in-depth into the nursing coursework compared to students studying nursing in a university.
General Entry Requirements for a Nursing Degree
The Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing Science consists of both a compulsory practical clinical training component and a theoretical component. Students who complete their course work and pass all their exams will be eligible to register as professional nurses and midwives with the SANC. The entry requirements across most South African universities for a Bachelor’s degree in nursing are:
- Passes in Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences
- National Senior Certificate (NSC) or equivalent qualification at exit level 4, with First additional or home language (50-59%), Life Orientation (50-59%), Life Sciences (50-59%), English (50-59%) and First additional or home language (50-59%)
Other Qualifications Aside From Nursing Diploma or Degree
Aside from having a nursing degree or a nursing diploma, there are other qualifications one can get.
- Higher Certificate in Auxillary Nursing
The most basic elementary training anyone who wishes to work as a nurse can get is a Higher Certificate in Auxillary Nursing. It is a one-year nursing program that puts a nursing student under the supervision of a nurse who has a national diploma or a bachelor’s degree in nursing. The student, on completion of his or her studies, can register as an enrolled auxiliary nurse.
- Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Nursing
In other to earn a Postgraduate Advanced Diploma in Nursing, the student must have either a Bachelor’s in Nursing Sciences, Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery and an advanced diploma in Midwifery, staff nurse and advanced diploma. In addition to all these, the student must also have a minimum of two years of practical experience as a professional nurse and/or midwife with at least one year of experience in the field of specialty within the last five years.
South African Universities That Offer Nursing Degrees
- University of South Africa
- University of Whitwatersrand
- Tshwane University of Technology
- Vaal University of Technology
