Netcare Training Academy, also called NTA, is a subdivision of Netcare Group, one of the leading healthcare providers in South Africa. 

The institution is accredited by the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) as a Private Higher Education Institution.

Established over three decades ago, Netcare Education was able to build its name as a credible institution in the healthcare industry. They’re also known for producing top-notch nursing practitioners, which reflects the quality of their services.

We like that they have several branches in several provinces in South Africa. Each campus homes two departments in charge of the two main programmes they offer.

First is the Faculty of Nursing and Ancillary Healthcare, which focuses on formal education and training in nursing and ancillary. The second is the Faculty of Emergency and Critical Care, which provides training for emergency and critical care.

Their formal nursing programmes are aligned with the standards of the National Qualifications Framework. 

We think this is great as it means all the credits earned by students are recognised as South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)-registered qualifications.

Aside from their credibility, another feature we love about Netcare Training Academy is their top-level facilities and strong workforce. The school is complete with the latest medical equipment and nursing training materials.

It’s also a big plus for us that they’re not short-staffed, and all instructors are registered and experienced in their fields. 

As for their tuition fees, the tuition for a 4-year course that will earn students a diploma and degree in nursing is about R 6,000 per year, which is within the usual rates for nursing education.

Our only concern is Netcare Training Academy’s weak student relations. Some students shared that it can be difficult to reach out to the school’s administration for support and guidance.

Apparently, their representatives can be unresponsive, which is dispiriting. We hope the school’s management addresses this issue and trains their staff to provide better service.

Khanyisa Nursing School is another popular choice for aspiring nursing practitioners. They’re mostly preferred for their accessibility, having several branches nationwide.

We like that Khanyisa Nursing School offers both higher certificates in nursing and a diploma in nursing in all their branches, allowing students to choose the path they’re interested in. 

Both programmes are accredited by the Council On Higher Education (CHE) and are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET).

Khanyisa Nursing School’s curricula for nursing training are commended for its comprehensiveness and high quality. 

Previous students also have high praise for their instructors, who were complimented for being hands-on and patient in assisting students. 

We also looked at their instructors’ backgrounds are pleased to discover that each of them is accredited and passionate about what they do.

Khanyisa Nursing School’s tuition fees are reasonable too. Their full bachelor programme for nursing costs R 6,000 per annum. 

It’s also a plus for us that the school allows instalment payments for the student’s tuition fees.

Take note, though, that many students encountered errors in their online registration. Most of the entries did not push through and were not processed, which is an inconvenience for students.

The management had to cancel online enrollment, which means students would have to process their registration manually.

Also, there are grumbles about Khanyisa Nursing School’s poor communication with its students and prospective clients. We’re told their representatives are unresponsive towards inquiries and concerns, which isn’t ideal.

Next on our list is Mpilo Royal College (PTY) LTD. Mpilo Royal College (PTY) LTD boasts 16 years’ worth of experience and is run by a team of brilliant healthcare professionals and educators. 

We loved that the institution was formed to promote education in the health sector and accommodate disadvantaged learners.

The school is accredited by the Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) and the Independent Examination Board (IEB). 

They also hold certifications from the Health and Welfare Sector Education and Training Authority (HWSETA) and Quality Council for Trade and Occupation (QCTO).

Another thing we like about Mpilo Royal College (PTY) LTD is they’re well-connected. The school is partnered with several homes for the sick and aged, as well as and hospices that host students’ practical exams and field exposure training.

Mpilo Royal College (PTY) LTD is also partnered with FUNDI, an organisation that lends out funding for tuition fees and miscellaneous school supplies. We also love that they give out tuition discounts occasionally and also for early registrants. 

However, there are a few grievances regarding the school reportedly not being transparent about their fees.

We’re told that there are additional costs not included on the list of fees indicated on their brochures, which took some students by surprise. 

In addition, the fees for exams are also not covered by the tuition fees, which means students have to pay extra to take them.

There are also multiple complaints about the school’s poor facilities. They don’t have a Wi-Fi connection and students would have to purchase data for some of their classes.

In addition, we’re told that classrooms are too small and students are often cramped inside. The building and equipment used are also quite outdated, which isn’t ideal.

First Class Caregiving is one of the most-rated and top-performing healthcare education institution in and around Johannesburg. They’re a multi-awarded and internationally accredited organisation, which we find impressive.

The school is affiliated with the Professional Association of Caregivers (PAC), a renowned association in the USA. First Class Caregiving is also a recipient of the World Class Business Award for caregiving, and Fenice Media Ltd’s Prestige Awards.

One of the things we like about First Class Caregiving is the diverse pool of courses available. The main training programmes they offer are the caregiving course, certified nursing assistant course, hospice course, and palliative care course.

What’s great about their certified nursing assistant course is when completed, graduates will be fully qualified with international certification and they will automatically be included in the UK Job Placement Program for free. 

We love this initiative as it opens doors of opportunities abroad and allows fresh graduates to have a chance for a high-paying job immediately.

It’s also a big plus for us that they have courses centred on patient care with particular health conditions such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, cancer, chemo, mental illnesses, and more. 

We’re impressed to hear that ever since their establishment, over 25,000 students have undergone and successfully completed their programmes. 

Nonetheless, we do have concerns about the school’s student support, or the lack of it. We’re disappointed to hear that some students experienced being ignored by the administration after voicing out their concerns and asking for assistance.

The famous Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital is a teaching hospital for the University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, and the Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital.

The nursing college is an autonomous subdivision of the institution that opened in 1982. 

They offer a broad range of training courses in healthcare including a four-year diploma in nursing, post-basic nursing science courses, midwifery, community health, child nursing, and more.

In addition, the college also accepts students from continuing education programmes spearheaded by the hospital, local clinics, and organisations.

The Chris Hani Baragwanath is the biggest hospital in South Africa, and has complete and updated amenities. The Nursing College, in particular, has its own library, an audio-visual department, an auditorium, and a computer room.

Take note, though, that slots are limited annually. The Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College can accommodate around 1,500 students, but this had to be reduced because of budget constraints.

Consequently, only 800 students are accepted per year. Given the number of nursing enrolees per year, it might be a challenge to get into Chris Hani Baragwanath Nursing College.

Moreover, there are a few complaints about the school’s student support. We’re told students find it difficult to get ahold of admin staff to attend to their questions and concerns, which can be frustrating.