Diploma in Nursing

Purpose

The Diploma in Nursing 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.

The qualification will provide a basis for decision-making about what is within and beyond the defined scope of practice, as well as an understanding of the referral system in place for anything outside of the scope of practice. The qualifying learner will 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.

Nurses receiving this qualification will be competent to practice in all contexts and will no longer be bound by old distinctions between regional and area hospitals. The focus of the qualification is on providing a broad range of maintenance skills rather than dealing with complications of serious illnesses. Qualifying learners will plan for basic health care and carry through the planning of professional nurses.

Rationale

This qualification is intended for learners wishing to enter the nursing profession to create a mid-level practitioner to practice nursing, by far the highest demand category for the existing and projected needs in health service delivery in South Africa.

Nurses in this category will assume responsibility for the broad scope of health service delivery. It is a more comprehensive qualification than existing qualifications and upgrades current requirements to meet the new scope of practice for the Nursing Profession and align emerging practitioners to the health delivery needs of the country.

On successful completion of this qualification, the qualifying learner is eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council as a Staff Nurse. The qualification is intended to prepare a Staff Nurse who will be able to meet the healthcare service delivery needs of South Africa. There is an urgent need in South Africa to address staff shortages and nursing skills. With shortages of nurses, it has become relevant to provide training for Nurses at Private Institutions. This qualification will ensure that the independent Staff Nurse will be able to provide clinically focused, service orientated and excellent nursing care, according to the appropriate legislative framework.

This qualification prepares the learner as a Staff Nurse. It will equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to practice safe and holistic nursing in a variety of healthcare context within SA. The Staff Nurse will be able to apply their theory in practical settings. The qualification will enable the Staff Nurse to work in areas where there are critical shortages. In addition, the Staff nurse with this qualification will be able to contribute to the current situation of human resources in South Africa, concerning its historical background, the shortage of professional Nurses and Doctors in the country and the advent of the National Health Insurance about to be launched. This Staff Nurse will be able to practice in a variety of settings; including community clinics, part of the multidisciplinary team in the hospital setting, and they will have the potential to become nursing unit managers.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

An application must be submitted according to the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy of the Nursing Education Institution for individual assessment for Recognition of Prior Learning process for access to this qualification or credit-bearing exemption.

Outcomes can be

• Access to the required nursing programme.
• Credits are awarded for specific learning content towards a qualification.
• Exemption from some learning content of a unit standard or qualification.
• The applicant does not qualify for any credits.

An applicant will apply for RPL assessment for one of the following

• Access - Entry into a nursing programme has always been barred by requirements not easily attained by individuals from previously disadvantaged groups. Such access is made possible through the assessment of prior knowledge and skills which constitute an equivalent in terms of the required standard. It will thus allow access into a programme at its normal point of entry.

Or

• A learner may also seek RPL assessment to achieve an advanced standing. Thus, an enrolled nurse, who has worked in a particular setting, can be assessed against prescribed learning outcomes of a desired course of study.

This qualification consists of the compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 140 Credits

• Biomedical Sciences, 8 Credits.
• Sociology, 4 Credits.
• Pharmacology, 4 Credits.
• Basic Nursing Care, 64 Credits.
• Community Health Nursing, 10 Credits.
• Nursing Dynamics, 15 Credits.
• Reproductive Healthcare, 15 Credits.
• Psychology, 4 Credits.
• Nursing Management, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 164 Credits

• Biomedical Sciences, 6 Credits.
• Pharmacology, 2 Credits.
• Basic Nursing Care, 28 Credits.
• Community Health Nursing, 16 Credits.
• Nursing Dynamics, 16 Credits.
• Health Information Systems, 8 Credits.
• Reproductive Healthcare, 24.
• Physiology systems approach, 4 Credits.
• Basic Nursing Care Nursing care according to the system approach, 40 Credits.
• Reproductive Health Care, 20 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 56 Credits

• Healthcare information systems, 20 Credits.
• Nursing Management, 36 Credits.

1. Apply knowledge of biomedical, biotechnological and psychosocial sciences to the practice of nursing.
2. Assess, plan, implement and evaluate nursing care for individuals and groups with stable, uncomplicated health problems for all age groups.
3. Function as part of the multidisciplinary team and maintain effective relationships with patients and members of the healthcare team, maintaining professionalism in own practice of nursing and applying ethical and legal principles throughout the nursing practice.
4. Manage a health care unit.
5. Deliver safe maternal care.
6. Utilise principles of science and methodology in investigating nursing and health-related problems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply knowledge of applied psychology and sociology in ways that benefit the level and quality of health care delivery to patients.
• Provide knowledge of anatomy, micro-organisms and physiology that meets requirements for professional health care are shown and effective health care delivery.
• Describe the anatomy correctly in terms of definition, description, location, relations, arterial blood supply, venous drainage, nervous supply, lymphatic drainage.
• Describe knowledge and understanding of the body and its biophysical functioning.
• Describe and apply knowledge of biotechnological sciences.
• Select, set up, monitor, strip, clean and store equipment.
• Demonstrate the fundamental knowledge of psychosocial sciences through the creation and maintenance of an optimum therapeutic environment for the patient in a variety of healthcare settings.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Base planning and provision for health care on sound assessment and informed decision making.
• Implement nursing care in an integrated manner according to plans.
• Monitor health care status of individuals, groups and/or communities and identify changes in the general status in time to implement preventative or corrective measures in the interests of general well-being.
• Deliver nursing care and the necessary physical, psychological care and support for long term for terminally ill patients in line with the accepted scope of practice for nursing.
• Provide support to patients recovering from acute illness and prepare them for discharge in ways that enable the patient, family and significant others to cope with the management of the patient at home.
• Set realistic goals in terms of functional ability and possible barriers to rehabilitation.
• Identify indicators of relapse or complications and ways of preventing them.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• All activities indicate collaboration with the various members of the multidisciplinary team where applicable.
• Use interpersonal skills when interacting with patients.
• Adhere to interpersonal skills such as patient advocacy, cultural sensitivity and diversity.
• Demonstrate an understanding of their role and the need for sustained professional behaviour when interacting within a multidisciplinary team.
• Apply practice consistently in a manner that reflects a clear understanding and interpretation of the requirements of the South African Nursing Council and Health Care Legislation.
• nterpret and apply ethical codes, professional accountability and responsibility and standards for the practice of nursing in line with their spirit and intent.
• Show emotional balance and the promotion of effective and professional service delivery.
• Apply patient confidentiality, advocacy and patient rights.
• Adhere to the requirements of applicable laws, regulations, protocols, and procedures in all events and activities to ensure the safety of personnel and patients and the occurrence of medico-legal incidents are prevented.
• Check or test all emergency equipment and lines of communication to ensure effective responses and reactions when needed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Provide management activities directed towards the establishment of a team approach to health care and the effective delivery of services within a physically safe and emotionally supportive environment.
• Manage pharmacological preparations and treatment in a way that ensures the correct storage of drugs and the correct preparation and administration of pharmacological treatment.
• Document the assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation timeously and promote effective service delivery as well as security and confidentiality of information.
• Monitor standards set for unit health care delivery and information is gathered and identify areas for improvement on an on-going basis.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Provide care delivered for the long-term wellbeing of mother and child in line with the accepted scope of practice for nursing.
• Assess and maintain the health status of a pregnant woman and explain changes or complications related to pregnancy.
• Apply the psychological aspects of the delivery and family changes to assist patients and their families.
• Demonstrate the methods for maintaining optimum health during pregnancy by assisting the pregnant woman and her family.
• Describe the postpartum period and potential complications for the mother and the neonate.
• Apply the correct care principles to ensure the overall wellbeing of the whole family and to ensure it is within the scope of practice.
• Keep records as per legal requirements and a complete picture of the pregnancy and reflect upon the postpartum period.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Use technology in ways that facilitate the effective diagnosis and treatment of conditions.
• Select the health-related technology to suit the needs of the individual or groups for investigating, testing and evaluating in nursing.
• Conduct community health assessments to assist in prioritising community needs and report findings for effective health care delivery.
• Identify and establish problems and causes.
• Develop proposals and implement the use of data to solving problems.
• Evaluate solutions to problems for adequate nursing care.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment strategies are used to ensure that exit level outcomes are achieved. The strategies include

• Written assignments.
• Tests (or examination equivalent tests).
• Projects.
• Demonstrations.
• Clinical Assessments.

Summative assessment takes the form of, but not limited

• Oral.
• Written.
• Practical examinations.

The WIL component is as follows

• Analysis of a Scenario for problem-solving.
• Case study.
• Analyse patient demographic data.
• Audit of patient records.

Research component

• Producing a research proposal.