Often people may confuse professional nurse vs staff nurse, and may say both are nurses, what the difference, how do they really differ? Let’s explore that through comparison of the requirements, salaries and duties. Let’s do it now.
Let us Begin with Professional Nurse Profession
PROFESSIONAL NURSE GRADE 2 (GENERAL NURSING): QUALITY
COORDINATOR REF NO: PROFNURQUACOORDINATOR/SRH/11/23
Directorate: Quality Assurance Department
SALARY : R358 626 per annum, (plus benefits)
REQUIREMENTS : Diploma/degree in general nursing or equivalent qualification that allows
registration with the SANC as a Professional Nurse. Current Registration with the
South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a professional nurse. A minimum of 10
years appropriate experience in nursing after registration as a professional nurse
with the South African Nursing Council in General Nursing. At least 3 years of the
above period referred to must be experience at a quality assurance level. Have the
ability to analyze complex information relating to areas of operation and to
transform that into user-friendly report and assessment. Have ability to prioritize
issues and other related work matters and to comply with the time frames set. Have
ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines. Have excellence interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written). An aptitude for statistics and information analysis. High level of accuracy and attention to detail. Have computer skills and the ability to work with MS Word, MS PowerPoint and MS Excel will be
advantageous. Ideal Hospital Framework and a valid driver’s license will be an added advantage.
What are the Duties for a Professional Nurse
DUTIES : Assist with the quality assurance monitoring and evaluation framework. Source
and obtain data and information to measure progress and compliance with quality
assurance targets, norms required for the development measurable performance
indicators related to the quality of care in the institution. Manage patient
complaints, Patient Safety Incidents (PSIs), conduct patient redress and external
stakeholder management. Assist with the generation of reliable assessments in
support of planning and intervention process required for quality assurance in the
institution. Assist with the drafting of annual, quarterly and other relevant quality
assurance performance reports. Attend external meetings.
Let’s Zoom into the Staff Nurse Profession
STAFF NURSE REF NO: STDH/2023/OM/01 (X9 POSTS)
Directorate: Nursing Services
SALARY : R199 725 – R222 939 per annum, (plus benefits)
CENTRE : Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital
REQUIREMENTS : Senior certificate/Grade 12. Two (2) years Enrolled Nurse certificate that allows
registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as an Enrolled nurse.
Experience as a Nurse will be an added advantage. Good communication skills,
basic writing skills, ability and good interpersonal skills.to function as part of a
team. Knowledge of nursing care processes and procedures, Quality assurance,
patients experience of care, patients safety, infection control and other relevant
legal frame works e.g. Ideal Hospital Realization. Good ethical practice and caring
attitude. Demonstrate basic understanding of nursing procedures. Demonstrate
basic understanding of the legislative framework protocols, policies governing the
Public Service.
What are the Duties of a Staff Nurse
DUTIES : To ensure safe and effective clinical nursing practice. Ensure effective
implementation of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to ensure rendering
Quality Nursing Care to patients. Ensure that the Nursing Standards are upheld
and maintained. Ensure effective communication according to hierarchy. Ensure
optimal utilization of resources. Ensure that the national core standards (Ideal
Hospital realization) are maintained and upheld. Maintain professional growth
/ethical standards and self-development.
As we Conclude
A salary of a professional nurse is almost double that one of a staff nurse. Also their duties are fairly different. While the staff nurse mainly deals with care of patients and optimal utilization of recourses, the professional nurse mostly deals with duties of a supervisor or a manager. They deal with general management of staff, recourses management and quality assurance and accountability.
We hope you understood the difference between a professional nurse vs staff nurse. See more topic of interest here.
Where to Find Nursing jobs?
You may find nursing jobs on Government recruitment website called DPSA.gov.za
