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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, sterilize, 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.
Satisfying Aspects
- helping others
- working with people
- the challenge and variety of work
- a large degree of autonomy
Demanding aspects
- being called out for emergencies
- routine duties
- dealing with difficult people
Requirements
An industrial nurse should:
- have compassion and patience;
- have common sense;
- be tactful;
- be responsible;
- have a sense of humour;
- be able to act calmly in an emergency;
- want to be of service to people;
- able to assume responsibility and a leadership role;
- have good health and physical fitness.
School Subjects
National Senior Certificate meeting degree requirements for a degree course
National Senior Certificate meeting diploma requirements for a diploma course
Each institution will have its own minimum entry requirements.
Compulsory Subjects: Mathematics, Physical Sciences
Recommended Subjects: Life Sciences
Training
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.
Employer
- Factories
- Mines
- Construction companies
- Large companies
Contact
The South African Nursing Council (SANC)
P O Box 1123
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 420-1000
Fax: (012) 343-5400
E-mail: registrar@sanc.co.za
www.sanc.co.za
Democratic Nursing Organization of SA
P O Box 1280
Pretoria, 0001
Tel: (012) 343-2315/6/7
Fax: (012) 344-0750
www.denosa.org.za