South Africa is experiencing a severe shortage of nurses due to an ageing workforce and challenges with the new nursing training framework. The shift towards professionalising nursing education, requiring accreditation from the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and the Council for Higher Education, has led to delays in training, contributing to fewer nurses entering the field.
Private hospitals have expressed frustration over the slow accreditation process. Experts, such as Professor Champion Nyoni and Dr Sharon Vasuthevan, highlight that the goal is to elevate nursing to a professional standard comparable to other healthcare fields.
This involves specific educational requirements, including matric certificates, for various nursing qualifications. However, delays in the accreditation of nursing programmes have decreased training capacity and a shortage of nurse educators.
The nursing shortage could worsen without effective intervention
Dr Sue Armstrong of the University of Witwatersrand warns that the gap between the demand for and the availability of nurses is widening, especially as the population grows. With 48% of current nurses expected to retire within the next 15 years, the nursing deficit could worsen without effective intervention.
The South African Nursing Council’s Deputy Registrar, Jeanneth Nxumalo, and others suggest closer collaboration between provincial health departments and training providers to address these shortages. Additionally, the “brain drain” remains a significant concern, as many experienced South African nurses seek better opportunities abroad.
The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) has criticised the current training system as a regression, favouring the comprehensive training provided under the previous curriculum, which included specialities like midwifery and psychiatry. Denosa advocates for reform to ensure nurses are equipped to meet diverse healthcare needs, particularly in underserved rural areas.