The Gauteng Department of Health has opened applications for 60 Staff Nurse Grade 1 positions at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH) in Gauteng. The opportunity is aimed at qualified nursing professionals who meet the registration and professional requirements of the South African Nursing Council (SANC).
The position offers an annual package of R229,440, plus service benefits. Importantly, no previous experience is required after registration with SANC as a Staff Nurse, making this vacancy relevant to eligible nursing professionals seeking to build their careers within the public healthcare sector.
Applications close on 9 October 2026.
Staff Nurse Grade 1 Vacancy 2026: Key Details
| Vacancy Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Employer | Gauteng Department of Health |
| Position | Staff Nurse Grade 1 |
| Directorate | Nursing Services |
| Number of Posts | 60 |
| Reference Number | REFS/056732 |
| Location | Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital |
| Salary Package | R229,440 per annum |
| Benefits | Service benefits |
| Experience | No experience required after SANC registration as Staff Nurse |
| Closing Date | 9 October 2026 |
Staff Nurse Grade 1 Requirements
Applicants must have a qualification that allows registration with the South African Nursing Council as a Staff Nurse.
The vacancy also requires applicants to have:
- Registration with SANC as an Enrolled Nurse.
- Current SANC registration for 2026.
- No experience after registration with SANC as a Staff Nurse is required.
- Exposure to working at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital will be an added advantage.
- Applicants must be willing to rotate through departments.
- Applicants must be willing to work night duty.
- Applicants should demonstrate professional growth, ethical standards and commitment to self-development.
- Applicants should be able to work as part of a multidisciplinary team.
The advert states that preference will be given to current CHBAH COVID staff.
Skills and Competencies Required
The Staff Nurse Grade 1 position requires candidates to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the legal and ethical framework governing nursing practice and public service.
This includes relevant:
- Acts
- Policies
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Guidelines
- Nursing protocols
Applicants should also demonstrate basic knowledge of Ideal Hospital Realization and Maintenance.
Other important competencies include effective and efficient use of resources, accurate record keeping and basic communication skills when dealing with patients, supervisors and colleagues.
The successful candidates will also need to work effectively within a multidisciplinary healthcare environment and support managers in maintaining quality nursing care.
Duties of a Staff Nurse Grade 1
Successful applicants will be responsible for providing basic clinical nursing care within their scope of practice and according to applicable nursing standards.
Key duties include:
Provide Basic Clinical Nursing Care
Staff Nurses will provide basic clinical nursing care in accordance with their scope of practice and established nursing standards.
This requires adherence to professional nursing procedures, ethical standards and applicable healthcare protocols.
Develop and Implement Patient Care Plans
The position involves the implementation and development of basic patient care plans.
These plans are intended to support the provision of quality patient care and ensure that patients receive appropriate nursing attention.
Prepare Patients for Procedures
Staff Nurses will prepare patients for diagnostic and surgical procedures.
This requires appropriate communication with patients and coordination with the relevant healthcare professionals.
Use Healthcare Resources Efficiently
Successful applicants must utilise resources economically, effectively and efficiently.
Proper resource utilisation is important in supporting healthcare service delivery and maintaining an effective hospital environment.
Willingness to Work Shifts and Rotate Departments
Applicants should understand that nursing positions in a major academic hospital can require flexible working arrangements.
The vacancy specifically states that candidates must be willing to rotate through departments and work night duty.
Applicants should therefore consider their availability for different shifts when applying for the position.
Salary and Benefits
The advertised package for the Staff Nurse Grade 1 position is R229,440 per annum, plus service benefits.
The vacancy does not provide a detailed breakdown of individual benefits in the information supplied.
| Salary and Benefits | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Package | R229,440 |
| Monthly Equivalent* | Approximately R19,120 |
| Service Benefits | Provided |
| Medical Aid | Not specified |
| Pension/Retirement Benefits | Not specified |
| Life Insurance | Not specified |
| Disability Cover | Not specified |
| Employee Wellness | Not specified |
| Bonus | Not specified |
| Paid Leave | Not specified |
| Training/Development | Professional growth and self-development are expected |
*The monthly figure is an approximate calculation of the annual package divided by 12 and should not be interpreted as the exact monthly take-home pay.
Why This Nursing Vacancy Is Important for Career Development
Working as a Staff Nurse at a large academic hospital can provide exposure to a structured public healthcare environment.
The position is particularly relevant to nursing professionals who want to develop experience in:
- Clinical nursing care
- Patient care planning
- Diagnostic and surgical patient preparation
- Multidisciplinary healthcare teams
- Hospital nursing procedures
- Professional nursing standards
- Healthcare resource management
- Public-sector healthcare services
The vacancy also emphasises professional growth, ethical standards and self-development.
Nurses can potentially use experience gained in clinical environments to pursue further professional development and other opportunities within the broader healthcare sector, depending on their qualifications, registration status and future career goals.
Documents Required When Applying
Applicants must submit a fully completed and signed new Z83 form together with a detailed CV.
The application must clearly indicate the relevant post reference number: REFS/056732.
The vacancy states that applications without proof of the new Z83 form and a detailed CV will be disqualified.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the HR Unit and required to submit certified copies of educational qualifications and other relevant documents. These documents must not be older than six months and must be submitted on or before the day of the interview.
Candidates with foreign qualifications must provide an evaluation certificate from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
Gauteng Department of Health Online Application
Applications for this vacancy must be submitted strictly online through the Gauteng Department of Health E-Recruitment portal.
The department states that:
- Hand-delivered applications will not be accepted.
- Faxed applications will not be accepted.
- Emailed applications will not be accepted.
- The application must include a completed and signed new Z83 form.
- A detailed CV must be submitted.
- The post reference number must be indicated.
- Applicants should ensure that all required information is completed correctly.
For assistance with online applications, applicants can contact the department’s health recruitment query service using the email address provided in the vacancy advert.
Applicants should also retain evidence of their submitted application for their records.
Personnel Suitability Checks
The Gauteng Department of Health states that personnel suitability checks must be conducted before appointment.
These checks may include:
- Criminal checks
- Citizenship checks
- Qualification verification
- Company directorship checks
- Social media checks
- Financial record checks
- Reference checks
The recommended candidate may also be subjected to medical surveillance as required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Employment Equity
The Gauteng Department of Health is guided by the principles of Employment Equity.
The vacancy specifically encourages applications from people with disabilities, Coloured males and females, Indian males and females, and White males and females.
The department also reserves the right not to fill any advertised post.
Important Questions on the Application
Applicants should be prepared to answer the following criteria questions:
- Do you have a qualification that allows registration with the South African Nursing Council as a Staff Nurse?
- Do you have registration with SANC as an Enrolled Nurse and current registration for 2026?
- Do you have exposure working at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital?
Applicants should answer these questions accurately based on their qualifications, registration and experience.
Nursing Career Opportunities in South Africa
A Staff Nurse position can form part of a broader nursing career pathway in the healthcare sector.
Depending on qualifications, professional registration, experience and further studies, nursing professionals may pursue opportunities across areas such as:
- Hospital nursing
- Community healthcare
- Primary healthcare
- Clinical nursing
- Specialist nursing
- Nursing management
- Healthcare education
- Public healthcare administration
- Private healthcare
- Occupational health
Continuous professional development and maintaining the appropriate SANC registration are important aspects of a nursing career.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Staff Nurse Grade 1 posts are available?
The Gauteng Department of Health is advertising 60 Staff Nurse Grade 1 posts.
Where are the positions based?
The positions are based at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH).
What is the salary?
The advertised package is R229,440 per annum, plus service benefits.
Is previous nursing experience required?
The vacancy states that no experience is required after registration with SANC as a Staff Nurse.
Is SANC registration required?
Yes. Applicants must have the required qualification and SANC registration, including current registration for 2026 as specified in the vacancy.
Is CHBAH experience required?
No. However, exposure to working at CHBAH is listed as an added advantage.
Do applicants have to work night duty?
Yes. Applicants must be willing to rotate through departments and work night duty.
When does the vacancy close?
Applications close on 9 October 2026.
Is there an application fee?
No. The Gauteng Department of Health states that no payment of any kind is required when applying for its advertised posts.
Apply for the Staff Nurse Grade 1 Vacancy Before the Closing Date
The Gauteng Department of Health Staff Nurse Grade 1 vacancy provides an opportunity for eligible nursing professionals to apply for one of 60 positions at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.
With an advertised annual package of R229,440 plus service benefits, the vacancy may be relevant to qualified applicants who meet the SANC registration requirements and are prepared to work within a busy public healthcare environment.
Applicants should ensure that their new Z83 form is completed and signed, their CV is comprehensive and that the correct reference number, REFS/056732, is included.
The closing date is 9 October 2026, so eligible applicants should submit their applications through the official Gauteng Department of Health E-Recruitment system before the deadline.
Do not pay anyone to apply for this vacancy. The department has specifically stated that applications are free of charge.