All Types of Nurses in South Africa and their Salaries (2023)

We have different types of Nurses in South Africa and this is due to their variety of specializations. These nurses specialize in providing care and support to patients, while some assist doctors and surgeons during surgical operations etc.

So if you have been searching for the types of Nurses in South Africa and the amount they earn (average salaries), I listed them out with details.

Types of Nurses in South Africa

1. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CNRA)

Average Salary: R1,800,000 

The highest-paid nursing position is that of a certified registered nurse anaesthetist. Nurse anaesthetists are advanced and highly skilled registered nurses who collaborate closely with medical experts during anaesthesia-related treatments.

Surgeons, dentists, anesthesiologists, and other healthcare professionals collaborate with nurse anaesthetists to prepare patients for surgical operations.

2. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: R1,250,000

Nurses that specialize in neonatal care are always in great demand. This high-paying speciality includes caring for newborn babies up to the age of 28 days. Nurses in this discipline can deliver oxygen, medication, and different NICU operations to sick and/or premature newborn newborns.

3. Cardiac Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: R1,140,000

Cardiac nurses are the type of nurse in South Africa that do in-depth cardiovascular examinations on patients suffering from heart-related conditions.

4. Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: R1,130,000 

Orthopaedic nurse practitioners provide care to patients suffering from musculoskeletal injuries or diseases. They assist patients in recovering from surgery, rehabilitating after an injury, and regaining full mobility in collaboration with physicians.

5. Oncology Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: R1,113,000 

The nurse who specializes in oncology work with doctors and surgeons to help cancer patients with their therapies. During treatment, they provide care, information, and support to both patients and the people taking care of them.

6. General Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: R1,112,000 

General nurse practitioners can form long-lasting relationships with their patients by providing basic preventative health care.

They usually work in family practices, but they can also work in adult practices, women’s health, paediatrics, and a variety of other healthcare settings, making this a very versatile specialization. 

7. Family Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: R1,110,000

Family nurse practitioners are the type of nurses in South Africa that are trained to work with both adults and children in family practice or clinical settings.

8. Clinical Nurse Specialist

Average Salary: R1,108,000 

Clinical nurse specialists (CNS), often known as intensive care unit (ICU) nurses, must be able to act quickly under pressure and make sound decisions. Clinical nurse specialists diagnose and treat diseases, illnesses, and injuries in patients.

9. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: R1,107,000 

Nurses in this field in mental health facilities or correctional centres treat patients with a variety of psychiatric and mental health illnesses. 

They offer daily physiological, mental, emotional, and even spiritual assistance to their patients, which is often life-changing. This occupation is not only financially gratifying but also emotionally satisfying because it involves delivering medical treatment as well as counselling to comfort patients.

10. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner

Average Salary: R1,105,000 per year

Pediatric nurses have the rewarding duty of treating children while also assisting in their development and progress. Pediatric nurses can work in a variety of settings, including urgent care centres, intensive care units, and even schools. Pediatric nurses must be able to communicate effectively with both their young patients and their caretakers.

11. Nurse Midwife

Average Salary: R1,102,000 

Despite the perception that midwife nurse is only for women, many men are interested in pursuing a career in this field. Certified nurse-midwives have a unique bond with their patients, which develops during a pivotal period in their lives. Midwives assist women through the joys and hardships of pregnancy, labour, and delivery.

12. Pain Management Nurse

Average Salary: R1,094,000

Pain Management Nurses work in oncology units, hospice programs, and palliative care. They assist in determining the cause of a patient’s pain and in providing care for the patient. They also provide pain management and medication education to the patient.

13. Nurse Researcher

Average Salary: R1,092,000 

Nurses who investigate many elements of health, illness, and healthcare are eligible for this position. Nurse researchers can improve health care services and patient outcomes by researching and executing scientific studies, making this nursing profession indispensable.

14. Nurse Administrator

Average Salary: R1,090,000 

Nurse administrators are members of the management team in charge of nursing personnel. They assist in the coordination of nurses and other departments, the development of policies and procedures, and the management of human resources and budgets.

15. Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (GNP)

Average Salary: R1,080,000 

This nursing speciality is for those who have a strong desire to help the elderly. Gerontological nurse practitioners (GNPs) have postgraduate degrees in geriatrics and are trained to assist in the treatment of long-term or disabling illnesses. GNPs, like other nurses, must approach nursing holistically, with a focus on providing a soothing bedside manner to their elderly patients.

16. Nurse Educator

Average Salary: R1,070,000 

Nurse educators are in charge of training nursing practitioners in a healthcare setting by utilizing training curricula that they create themselves. In a clinical setting, they also supervise new nurses and nursing students.

Related:

• List Of Careers And Salaries In South Africa
• Types of Doctors And Salaries in South Africa
• Teacher’s Salaries In South Africa

Conclusion

Here you have it, the types of nurses in South Africa and the amount they earn.

Note that the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist is the highest-paid nurse in South Africa, and this is due to the complexity of their job.