Diploma in Nursing

Purpose

The primary purpose of the qualification is to produce a learner who displays applied competence which includes knowledge, skills, and reflective practice. They are independent and critical thinking general nurse practitioners who will be guided by social, economic and political issues affecting the health of the people.

The qualification uses the outcome-based approach with a strong emphasis on clinical competence. The learners will be in a variety of clinical learning areas throughout the qualification, as part of theory and practice integration and development of required competencies in line with the qualification.

Rationale

This qualification is intended to prepare the learner to meet the health needs of the country. Practice is focused on quality service delivery within a broad spectrum of health care services. Nurses in this category will assume responsibility for the broad scope of burden of disease (Communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Malaria; and Non- communicable diseases such as Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension) in the health care service. The new health care system including National Health Insurance and Primary Health Care Re-engineering places increased demands on the nursing profession, therefore there is a need to educate and train more general nurses to meet the demands in the country.

The qualification is in line with the current higher education landscape and the health care systems in the country. The qualification is aligned to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQSF), the new nursing qualifications and the new scope of practice for general nurses as outlined by the South African Nursing Council (SANC). The qualification is accredited by both SANC and Council on Higher Education (CHE). The learner who has successfully completed this qualification has a significant contribution to make in the current situation of human resources for health in South Africa, taking into consideration the current shortage of of nurses and doctors in the country. The practice of this general nurse is focused on service delivery within a broad spectrum of health services and in a variety of settings for example hospitals, community health centres, clinics and set-down facilities; both in urban and rural areas. The learners are placed in accredited clinical facilities in a variety of clinical learning areas throughout the qualification as part of theory and practice integration and development of required competencies.

Since these general nurses provide preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care services that will have a positive impact on the economy of the country because the province would have healthy citizens.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners with legacy qualifications who wish to access the qualification but do not meet the admission criteria, i.e. R2175 and R2176 will be expected to undergo the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by matching their skills, knowledge and experience to specific standards and associated assessment criteria of the 3-Year Diploma in Nursing R171 qualification

Individuals who have acquired learning through life or work experiences, formal or non-formal education, can be assessed and subsequently awarded credit for access to a nursing education qualification at this institution.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4.

Or

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Diploma studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5 and 6 totalling 364 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Integrated Anatomy and Physiology, 8 Credits.
• Applied Physics and Chemistry, 8 Credits.
• Basic Nursing Care, 32 Credits.
• Community Health Nursing, 32 Credits.
• Introductory Psychology-Sociology, 8 Credits.
• Foundations of Nursing Science, 32 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 244 Credits

• Integrated Anatomy and Physiology, 8 Credits.
• Communicable Diseases Child, 28 Credits.
• Communicable Diseases Adult, 28 Credits.
• Non-Communicable Disease Child, 28 Credits.
• Non-Communicable Disease Adult, 28 Credits.
• Community and Reproductive Health, 32 Credits.
• Community Health Nursing, 36 Credits.
• Professional Development and Leadership, 28 Credits.
• Health Unit Management, 28 Credits.

1. Apply knowledge of natural and biological sciences in the practice of nursing.
2. Apply knowledge of psychosocial 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 healthcare to promote and maintain optimum health of individuals and families.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss anatomy and physiology in caring for the healthcare user.
• Apply knowledge of microbiology, epidemiology, prevention and control of infection in caring for the healthcare user.
• Demonstrate an understanding of human anatomy and physiology with specific reference to terminology, planes of the body and body cavities, musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system (blood, heart, vessels) and lymphatic system.
• Apply knowledge of human anatomy and physiology in the provision of nursing care to individuals of all age groups.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply knowledge of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in nursing practice within the applicable scope of practice.
• Prescribe, control, dispense and administer medications in various healthcare settings within legislative requirements.
• Provide nursing care in terms of legal aspects and nurse's roles in drug therapy that include prescription, controlling and dispensing of medications.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Render nursing care within an ethical, legal framework.
• Apply knowledge of the legal and ethical framework of nursing in terms of the character and nature of Nursing; evolution of nursing- historic trends, and Nursing as a profession.
• Define the ethical basis of the profession of Nursing and the role of multidisciplinary team.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Use and maintain healthcare information systems in the practice of nursing.
• Apply knowledge and understanding of health information systems in respect of Computer literacy; health statistics; record keeping; legislation and legal requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Implement the management process in a healthcare unit.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Promote and maintain the optimum health of individuals and families through the provision of reproductive healthcare.
• Apply knowledge of reproductive health care in respect of contraception and family planning;

legislation and governance relevant to contraception and family planning; prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections; management of male and female reproductive health needs/problems and monitoring of growth and development of children.

Integrated Assessment

There are two types of assessments: Formative and Summative.

Formative includes

• Written tests.
• Assignment.
• Oral examination.
• Group work.
• Simulation.
• Demonstration on life patients/clients.
• Clinical assessment.
• Group work.
• Projects.
• Workbooks.
• Portfolio of evidence.
• Journal.

Summative includes

• Written examination.
• Objective and Subjective Clinical Assessment (OSCA).