It is alleged that thousands of nursing graduates sit without jobs while a number of hospitals and clinics, in various provinces, battle with staff shortages. The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (Denosa) has expressed its concerns regarding the increasing number of nurses who are not placed despite having completed their community service. The organisation has stated that this is a growing problem that extends beyond the borders of Gauteng into other provinces. They further posed questions as to why the government is still keeping nursing colleges when they can’t employ nurses. Meanwhile, the Health Department in the Free State says plans to hire nurses and other medical personnel are underway. Spokesperson, Mondli Mvambi, told OFM News that they have advertised a number of posts to be filled at various hospitals in the province and will soon be advertising more…

He adds they will keep training nurses as part of the national development skills and will hire nurses where possible. He says the province currently has a database of nurses still awaiting placement and takes it into consideration when appointing nurses.

Last month, the national department of health announced a drive to fill more than 15 000 professional posts, including 9 797 newly qualified practitioners, into community service and internship posts, as well as 5 300 clinical and support health workers.

OFM News