A Higher Certificate in Nursing leads to registration in the category of Auxiliary Nurse. The Registered Auxiliary Nurse with the qualification Higher Certificate in Nursing will be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills.
The qualification provides students with the ability to function in a wide variety of healthcare settings, provide basic care to patients, and work as a supportive function to other healthcare workers. Auxiliary Nurses are equipped to support general nurses, professional nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Students interested in applying for a Higher Certificate in Nursing will need to meet the application requirements of the tertiary institution offering the programme. While admission criteria may differ from institution to institution, here are a few basic admission requirements.
Admission Requirements:
National Senior Certificate:
- Grade 12 with minimal requirements for admission to diploma studies, as gazetted for higher education, with an average of 50%.
- Life or Physical science subject at NQF Level 4 with a minimum mark of 40%.
- Mathematics Literacy at NQF Level 4 with a minimum mark of 50% or Mathematics at NQF Level 4 with a minimum mark of 40%.
- English at NQF Level 4 with a minimum mark of 40%.
- Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3 with a minimum of 40% will serve as a recommendation.
National Vocational Certificate:
- National Vocational Certificate, equivalent to Grade 12, with an average of 55% is required.
- Life or Pscience subject at NQF Level 4 with a minimum of 50%.
- Mathematics at NQF Level 4 with a minimum of 50% or Mathematics Literacy at NQF Level 4 with a minimum of 60%.
- English communication Skills at NQF Level 4 with a minimum of 50%.
- Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3 with a minimum of 40% will serve as a recommendation.
Old Senior Certificate:
- Grade 12 with D-aggregate (950 marks)
- Grade 12 Life (Biology) or Physical science 4 with a minimum mark of 40% (higher grade) and 50% (lower grade)
- Mathematics at NQF Level 4 with a minimum mark of 40% (higher grade) and 50% (lower grade)
- Grade 12 English with a minimum mark of 40% (1st or 2nd language)
- Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3 with a minimum of 40% will serve as a recommendation.
If students meet the basic admission criteria, they are free to apply for the qualification. Applicants will be contacted and provided with the outcome of their application.
Some tertiary institutions will require students to undergo the following as part of the selection process:
- Psychometric testing
- Interview
- Health assessment.
