Clinical Nurse Practitioner Career in South Africa
Explore the official OFO occupation, common tasks, specialisations and approved South African qualification pathways.
Occupation overview
Provides advanced and extended nursing care to patients such as ordering diagnostic tests, undertaking diagnosis and health assessments, prescribing patient care management, medicines and therapies as authorised in relevant nursing legislation, and referring to medical specialists and other health professionals in a range of health, welfare and community settings.
What does a Clinical Nurse Practitioner do?
A Clinical Nurse Practitioner provides advanced nursing care and takes a broader role in assessing and managing patients. Depending on the authority granted by nursing legislation, the work may include health assessments, ordering diagnostic tests, making diagnoses, prescribing care plans, medicines and therapies, and referring patients to doctors or other health professionals. Clinical Nurse Practitioners may work in hospitals, clinics, community health services, welfare settings or specialised areas such as critical care, midwifery, paediatrics, nephrology and infection control.
Specialisations
How to become a Clinical Nurse Practitioner in South Africa
- Learn about the scope of practice and responsibilities of Clinical Nurse Practitioners in South Africa.
- Investigate current nursing education, clinical preparation, authorisation and professional practice requirements with the relevant official nursing regulator and accredited education providers.
- Complete the nursing education and practical clinical preparation required for the scope of practice you intend to enter.
- Develop competence in patient assessment, diagnosis, care planning, medicines and therapies, and professional referral processes within the authority granted by applicable nursing legislation.
- Consider a specialised area such as adult critical care, forensic nursing, infection control, occupational health, ophthalmic nursing, orthopaedics, paediatrics, nephrology or midwifery, and verify the current requirements for that area.
Edupstairs Preparation Guidance
There may not be one universal qualification route stated for every Clinical Nurse Practitioner role. The appropriate education, clinical preparation, authorisation and professional requirements should be confirmed with the relevant nursing regulator, accredited providers and prospective employers. Education can support entry and development, but the ability to diagnose, prescribe or order tests depends on the authority provided by applicable nursing legislation.
Useful school subjects
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- English
- Physical Sciences
Skills that may help
- Patient assessment
- Clinical reasoning and decision-making
- Care planning and health management
- Understanding of medicines and therapies
- Diagnostic and health-assessment skills
- Communication with patients, families and health professionals
- Referral and care-coordination skills
- Attention to detail and accurate record-keeping