Diploma in Nursing

Purpose

Learners who obtain this qualification will be deemed competent in applying knowledge, affective, cognitive and conceptual skills and practice competencies to articulate to higher studies in nursing.

The qualification will provide a basis for decision-making about what is within and beyond the defined scope of practice, as well as understanding of the referral system in place for anything outside the scope of practice. The learner will be able to apply evidence-based nursing practice which is based on research or established practices that have proven to be effective both nationally and internationally within the profession.

Rationale

This qualification serves to provide an entry level qualification to the profession of Nursing.

This qualification will prepare the qualifying learner as a generalist nurse who will be able to meet the service delivery needs of the country. The learner who has successfully completed this qualification will be able to contribute a significantly to the current situation of human resources in health in South Africa, taking into consideration the country's historical background and the shortage of professional nurses and doctors in the country. The practice of this Staff Nurse is focused on quality service delivery within a broad spectrum of health services and in a variety of settings, including rural areas.

This qualification will enable the learner to function as a clinically focused, service orientated, independent Registered Staff Nurse, who is able to render nursing care as determined by the appropriate legislative framework.

On successful completion of this qualification, the diplomat is eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Staff Nurse. Successful registration will license nurses to practice as a Staff Nurse as defined in the Nursing Act No. 33 of 2005. The Act defines a Staff Nurse as: "a person educated to practice basic nursing in the manner and to the level prescribed - according to relevant legislation and regulations".

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution shall recognise experience acquired by a learner through formal and informal learning.

• The learner will be assessed on acquired knowledge and skills.
• To enable the learner access to the qualification applied by assessing their competencies acquired previously.
• Allow learners to be credited for modules acquired and successfully completed.
• The Nursing School shall grant access/credits on basis of portfolio of evidence.
• A candidate should provide a portfolio of evidence of sufficient and current learning associated with the qualfication's Exit Level Outcomes, offered by the nursing school.
• Recognition of Prior Learning Policy should be followed by clear procedures.
• Dissemination of information for recognition of prior learning is made available to candidates through the nursing school brochure/handouts.
• Planning for staff development including that of administrative and support staff is crucial for the success of RPL.

Assessment of prior learning shall be undertaken by well qualified and registered assessors.Quality assurance of the process of assessment is also done by registered moderators to ensure credits attained through the process of RPL meet Exit Level Outcomes of part of a full-time programme.

Candidates who are not satisfied with the RPL outcome or wish to challenge the amount of credits awarded from RPL assessment may request further consideration. Such appeal must be completed within ten (10) working days of issue of notification of the outcome of assessment.

• The candidate is actively involved in all aspects of the assessment process to ensure that the assessment is fair and transparent. Possible barriers to fair assessment are identified and addressed.
• RPL assessor meets the candidate to conduct pre-screening to ensure viability of application.
• If the candidate does not meet the minimum requirements in terms of language/numeracy and other competencies, the candidate is referred for further advice on alternative pathways.

The development of standardised assessor is critical to ensure that the process followed in assessment adheres to the same principles of validity, reliability, practicability, sufficiency and currency.

The Professional Body will ensure that the RPL processes and assessments have taken place in accordance with their requirements.

Entry Requirements

Learners who enroll for this qualification should have any of the following

• National Senior Certificate.

Or

• Level 3 or Level 4 qualification.

Or

• Higher Certificate as a Nursing Auxiliary.

This qualification comprises modules totalling 360 Credits.

First Academic Year

• Bio Medical Sciences, 8 Credits.
• Psycho-Social Sciences, 4 Credits.
• Pharmacology, 4 Credits.
• Basic Nursing Care, 56 Credits.
• Professionalism, Ethics and Legislation, 20 Credits.
• Healthcare Information System, 8 Credits.
• Reproductive Health Care, 20 Credits.

Second Academic Year

• Bio Medical Sciences, 8 Credits.
• Psycho-Social Sciences, 4 Credits.
• Pharmacology, 4 Credits.
• Basic Nursing Care, 56 Credits.
• Professionalism, Ethics and Legislation, 6 Credits.
• Management and Leadership, 12 Credits.
• Reproductive Health Care, 30 Credits.

Third Academic Year

• Basic Nursing Care, 40 Credits.
• Professionalism, Ethics and Legislation, 8Credits.
• Healthcare Information Systems, 6 Credits.
• Management and Leadership, 43 Credits.
• Reproductive Health Care, 23 Credits.

1. Apply knowledge of natural and biological sciences in the practice of nursing.
2. Apply knowledge of psycho-social sciences in the practice of nursing.
3. Apply knowledge of pharmacology in nursing practice.
4. Provide nursing care throughout the lifespan in various healthcare settings.
5. Render nursing care within a legal and ethical framework.
6. Use and maintain healthcare information systems for nursing practice.
7. Manage a healthcare unit by implementing the management process.
8. Provide reproductive health care to promote and maintain optimum health of individuals and families.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology in caring for the health care user.
• Apply knowledge of microbiology in caring for the health care user.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply knowledge of psychology and sociology in ways which benefits the quality of healthcare delivered to health care users.
• Understand and apply knowledge of human behavior and psychological development throughout the life span.
• Implement social and diversity-sensitive care in nursing practice.
• Identify and manage a range of psychological emergency situations are accordingly.
• Deal with emotional demands of nursing practice effectively.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply knowledge of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in nursing practice within the applicable scope of practice.
• Administrate medications that are prescribed, controlled, dispensed in various healthcare settings within legislative requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Provide a preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative nursing care to different age groups in various health care settings.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Render nursing care within an ethical legal framework.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Use and maintain healthcare information systems in the practice of nursing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Implement the management process in managing a health care unit.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Promote and maintain the optimum health of individuals and families is through the provision of reproductive health care.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Evaluation - This is done in both theory and practical situations. Theory is evaluated continuously in the form of class tests, assignments and projects. Practical skills are continuously evaluated by learning instruments and progress.

Summative Evaluation - Summative Evaluation is done towards the end of the course in the form of a written examination. This evaluation takes place by means of an Organised Structured Clinical (OSCE) and written examination, which aims at cognitive, affective and psychomotor aspects of a learner.