Nursing Regulatory Authorities or Nursing Councils

Roles or Functions of Nursing Councils

• Provide support for the professional development and competencies of those who study Nursing.

• Where authorized by the Nursing Act, register the name of a person who will then be entitled to practice nursing or midwifery in the said country according to the category or categories in which they are registered.
•  Nursing councils are the authority to issue or regularize the license.
• Nursing License  will be issue on the criteria set by Council or Government.

• Council ensure that a person registered in terms of the Nursing Act is available to the public.

• Set nursing syllabus, conduct examinations and issue qualification certificates to those who are successful and have completed the programs of education through approved institutions.

• Determine the scope of practice and conditions under which persons registered in terms of the Nursing Act may practice their profession, and the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements for them to remain competent.

• Determine the acts and omissions in respect of which the Council may take disciplinary steps against a practitioner.

• Ensure that the person registered behave towards health service users in a manner that respects their constitutional rights, and take disciplinary action against those who fail to do so.

• Conduct inspections and investigations of nursing education institutions, nursing education programs, and health establishments, in order to ensure compliance with the Nursing Acts, and take action or report on non-compliance.

• Withdraw or suspend accreditation of a nursing education institution or nursing education programs if the nursing education provider does not comply with prescribed requirements.

• Monitor the assessment (of learners) by nursing education providers.

• Be an education and training quality assurance body for all nursing qualifications.

• Investigate and take legal action against non-accredited institutions offering "illegal" nursing education.

• Determine and charge the prescribed fees in terms of the Nursing Act.

• Report to the Ministry of health for situation or pre planned stances.

• Ensure that an annual budget is drawn up and that the Nursing Council operates within the parameters of such budget.

Perform any other function prescribed in terms of the Nursing Act.