Industrial Nurse

Industrial nurses render first aid and treatment to injured or ill employees at factories, mines, construction sites and other places of employment.

They may, for example, sterilise, disinfect, anoint and bandage minor cuts and burns. They may apply artificial respiration or administer oxygen in cases of suffocation or asphyxiation. They administer medications such as aspirin to relieve pain or antiseptic solution to prevent infection until patients can receive more intensive health care. They may monitor the taking of prescribed medicines and treatments for various illnesses.

If the company or mine has an infirmary the industrial nurse may be required to change beds, clean equipment and generally keep the infirmary in an orderly condition.
Industrial nurses also assist doctors who may be called out to attend emergency situations on site and have to keep personal and medical records of all employees.

Personal Requirements

compassionate and patient
lots of common sense
tactful and have a sense of humour
able to act calmly in an emergency
want to be of service to people
able to assume responsibility and a leadership role
good health and physical fitness

How to Enter

Schooling & School Subjects

National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course

Each institution has its own entry requirements.

What to Study

University courses for nurses are available at UKZN, NWU, UJ, UWC, UFS, UCT, US, UL, Wits, UZ, UV, UNISA.
Universities of Technology offering training are CPUT, TUT and VUT.

Training at nursing colleges is both practical and theoretical, often in collaboration with a university. Clinical or practical training is done at accredited training hospitals. The duration of the course is 4 years. Prospective nursing students are subject to a selection procedure.

Qualified nurses register with the South African Nursing Council.

Employment

factories
mines
construction companies
large companies

Further Information

The South African Nursing Council (SANC)
P O Box 1123
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 420-1000
www.sanc.co.za

Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA
605 Stanza Bopape Street
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 343-2315/6/7
www.denosa.org.za

Getting Started