​To the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and the National Department of Health:

We, the R683 Registered Nurses of South Africa, are tired of being "academically stuck." We provide critical care in both public and private hospitals, yet we are denied the right to further our education.

​The current R1497 (Midwifery) program is being gatekept. Government Nursing Colleges often restrict entry to state-only employees, leaving private sector nurses with nowhere to go.

​We demand immediate action to:

​Allow all qualified R683 nurses, including those in the private sector, to enroll in the R1497 programs at government nursing colleges.

​Grant accreditation to private colleges and universities to offer the R1497 and equivalent NQF Level 7 bridging programs, removing the monopoly on nursing education and allowing for professional growth across the entire health sector.

​Implement a transparent Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) system that counts our clinical years and specialized certifications toward our future degrees.

​South Africa’s healthcare system is at risk if its most experienced nurses are forced into academic retirement. Sign to demand an equal path for every nurse.