Course Overview
A stepping stone
The uniqueness of Nido’s practical training is the experience in Private Practical Facilities. Nido Nursing (Pty) Ltd is the perfect stepping stone to enable you to further your career in nursing studies, or to get employment in the Private Health Care Industry.
About the course
The Health Care Assistant Course entails the following:
- The complete course is of 12 months’ duration.
You need to complete 1150 hours in total (Theory and Practical)
Months 1 – 3 (142 hours) Theoretical training – lectures, revision, tests, assignments, case study and first formal exam.
Months 4 – 6 Practical training in old age homes or nursing and caring homes.
Month 7 Study break and Benchmark exam, submission of cultural assignment and patient case study. Submission of documents required for placements in private hospitals.
Month 8 – 10 Practical’s in private hospitals.
Month 11 Study break and final exam.
Month 12 opportunity for rewrites and final exam.
Month 13 Certificate ceremony.
Subjects
- Ethics, rights and conduct
- Communication
- Basic Human Anatomy
- Body Care
- Personal/ Environmental
- Hygiene
- Cross Infection
- Intake and Output
- Safety of patients
- Recreational needs
- Oxygen Therapy
- Total patient care
- Death and Dying
- Stress Management
- Care of the Elderly
- Common Illnesses
- Baby and Child care
- CPR & First Aid / Emergency Care
- Nutrition
- Medical terminology
- Completing 1008 Hours practical experience in a hospital, old age home, private homes or retirement villages. Students need to do at least 168hrs of practical training per month to reach 1008 hours
- 2 weeks of 90 hours to study for first formal exam
* In total you will need to complete 1150 hours to complete the course. 142 hours theory and 1008 hours practical = 1150 hours
* NB: Certificates are only issued in the 13th month of training
The Requirements
1 No grade 12 needed. Grade 10 is the lowest grade we accept. International students need to have a certified copy of their highest qualification equivalent to the lowest grade 10 or grade 12.
2 No specific subjects needed.
3 Main requirement: To write Nido’s assessment test. Need to pass with 50%.
4 Need to be able to read and write in English.
5 A passion for nursing.
Registration & Course Details
Fee for Assessment: must be paid when booking for writing the test into the Nido Nursing (Pty) Ltd Bank account.
2021 – R1100.00
2022 – R1150.00
2023 – R1200.00
The Reason for the Assessment test:
- To identify if students can read and write in English.
- To identify the passion for Nursing.
* Please note that the assessment fee is not refundable and if a student did not pass the test, he/she will be able to rewrite once only, and if the student did not pass the second time, he/she will not be accepted into the Nido Health Care Assistant Training Programme.
Please note the following is required:
- Hepatitis B vaccinations (proof of 3 vaccinations must be submitted in the 7th month of training.)
- Police Clearance police clearance certificate submitted in 7th month
- Health Status – Medical Certificate – (TB Clearance submitted in the 3rd month of training)
Please Note: The above will be discussed on the 1st day of orientation and all necessary Nido letters will be given to students to submit to enable them to get the above done.
NB: No students will be allowed to start their practical training in the Private Hospitals unless the above documentation has been submitted.
Students are responsible for their own uniforms:
- White nursing shirt (short sleeved, with blue trimming)
- Navy trousers / skirt
- Black /Navy shoes
- Lycra stockings
- Jackets and headscarves must be navy blue
- White nurses dresses
We advise students to budget for transport during training, as Nido will not be held responsible for transport costs. You must be able to attend each day of your practical placement. Students can be suspended if they do not attend practical training.
Students have to arrange for their own accommodation.
Should you, our Nido student, get injured during theory or practical training, you will be responsible for your own medical expenses and Nido will not be held responsible.
- Various tests as well as a first formal examination will be written before the Practical training commences. You need to pass this exam with 50% before you could continue with your practical training at the nursing homes and old ages homes.
- After the first three month practical placement, a benchmark exam is written. You will need to pass this with at least 50% to continue with the second placement in the private hospitals.
- After the second three month placement, the final exam is written. The pass mark is 50%
- You will need to pass 26 practical procedures during the six month practical placement period, and the pass mark is 80%
- After the final exam is written, it takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks for the final results to be released.
- You will receive a letter of recommendation from Nido containing your final results before the certificate can be issued. This enables students to already apply for jobs while waiting for their certificates.
- After successful completion of your course you may register with Nido Nursing (Pty) Ltd to assist you with job placements as well as Carechamps. You will have to sign an agreement with your regional office(s) in South Africa.
Candidates that would like to study and are working must discuss this in person with CEO, Gizelle van der Merwe, because Nido Nursing Management does allow it, but it must be discussed and pre-approved.
Intakes Per Year
There are three group intakes a year.
1 Feb / March
2 May / June
3 Sept / Oct
Please note: The intake dates/ months differ per region and dates are also subject to change, depending on the number of students per group.
I’ve always looked forward to going to work because of the love I had for what I do. This is all thanks to Nido and Discovery. I am grateful for them helping me become a Qualified Healthcare Assistant and I would’ve loved nothing more than being associated with Nido or Discovery in the future, all the knowledge and experience that I’ve managed to absorb while representing both these companies has given me the courage to finally spread my wings and chase my dreams elsewhere. Rest assured though, I will definitely make use of this qualification because Healthcare is really close to my heart.
I appreciate Nido nursing Academy for opening doors for me, since I did the course I haven’t struggled to find a Job. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to study at the Nido Training Academy.
I was given the amazing opportunity to complete my Health Care Assistant training with Nido in 2019. Having always had a passion for health care, especially when it comes to the elderly, this was the perfect stepping stone for me, I realized that this is where I was definitely meant to be. The practical training was fun and exciting, informative and made me realize that not even the sky is the limit, if you want something so badly, you have to get out of your own way and do it.
On behalf of my wife and family we wish to thank Itumeleng for her excellent service. She was kind, patient, and gentle in her care of my wife. She is a credit to Nido . She treated my wife with respect and compassion
Discovery HomeCare has been working closely with Nido Health as a preferred provider, since June 2016. We have been hugely impressed by the great work that Nido does and the lengths that they go to, to service and care for their clients. Their passion for providing care and support is evident in every case referred to them as is the quality and experience of their care team. We have only ever received positive feedback from our members when cared for by Nido and have no reservations referring patients to them, knowing that their team have the training, experience and support required. The Nido team are a pleasure to work with and we wish them all the very best on their journey ahead and for all their new ventures and adventures!
For years I applied at institutions and was always unsuccessful. Until one day I came across a Nido advert in the newspaper and applied for the course. During my practical training at Nido I was sent to N1 Netcare Paediatric – one week in the unit manager offered me a position as a care worker and this is when doors started opening for me. After six months I started my studies though Netcare education.Today I am a very proud Paediatric staff nurse who is furthering my studies to become a Registered nurse. My message to everybody is : Never stop dreaming, reach for your goals and remember, the sky is the limit!
I started with Nido because I was looking for a more advanced and recognised course than the regular Home Based Caring course. My goal is to further my studies in the field of Nursing and my training with NIDO has been the perfect stepping stone to help me do so and has given me the self confidence to fulfil my dreams to become a qualified nurse. Thanks to Nido I am one step closer to achieving my goals and to live my dreams.
After numerous unsuccessful applications to universities I was discouraged but one thing I did know is that I wanted to do nursing for the passion I had for this occupation. My life changed for the better the day I saw a group of ladies wearing nursing uniforms. I approached them to enquire about where they have studied – Nido Health Care Academy they said. During my practical training I was placed at the N1 Netcare Hospital where I still work. The hospital offered to help me further my studies to become a staff nurse and thereafter a professional nurse.
Good evening Ladypeace, I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for the care, love and passion for your job and professionalism in caring for my mum. I wish you well in your new job and may the good Lord keep you healthy and safe always.