Diploma in Nursing

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Diploma in Nursing will enable the learner to function as a clinically focused, service orientated, independent registered staff nurse, who can 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. Upon completion of the qualification, 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.
• Assess, diagnose, plan and implement nursing care to individuals, families and communities (Source: SANC, Revised Curriculum framework, July 2014)
• Demonstrate the appropriate attitude, behaviour and image of the profession and uphold the ethical and legal codes that govern professional practice.

Rationale

The need for this qualification is to prepare the learner with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitude to function as a clinically focussed, service orientated, independent nurse practitioner, who can render competent nursing care as a general nurse to provide health to individuals, families, groups and communities as part of the multi-disciplinary health teams.

The learner with this qualification has a significant contribution to make in 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. The qualification will address the skills shortages in the health system sector and learners will progress through developmental approaches in the system for lifelong learning.

The South African health system is predominantly primary health care based. The ever-changing health needs demand high levels of professional nurse competence to ensure responsiveness to current and future population health needs and address the burden of diseases. The education and training of nurses is an essential aspect of the functioning of any health system especially in rural communities where primary health care services are the first contact care for communities.

The qualification has been approved by the South African Nursing Council (SANC). Upon completion of the qualification, the learner will be able to register with SANC as a general nurse and can operate as a general nurse practitioner at primary health care settings and operate within the multi-disciplinary health settings in general wards. Society will benefit from preventive, promotive and curative services provided and reducing the burden of diseases thus reducing the impact of diseases and hospitalisation.

RPL will be in accordance with the policies and procedures of the institution and agreement with the procedures of the statutory body (SANC).

At least 10% of the cohort for this qualification will be via RPL.

The qualification may be achieved through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal, informal, and non-formal learning and work experience. Recognition of Prior Learning is applied in terms of policy and criteria of the institution in accordance with the national imperatives of widening access.

RPL for access

• The qualification provides alternative routes of access to higher education.RPL for access is applied to earners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• Advanced standing may be granted.
• Learners will be advised to provide a value of prior learning such as academic transcripts.
• In the case of learners with self-taught or community workers acquired skills, if possible the individuals may undergo a process of preparation for testing and then assessment, at the end of which their experience is recognised with an appropriate certificate or credit.
• The department will evaluate the transcript/credits or the value of previous academic learning and decide to approve or refuse the application.
• Where possible the department can advise the learner to submit a portfolio of evidence subject the learner to pre-course/ foundation or bridging program.

RPL for exemption from module

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted for modules that form part of the qualification.
• For a learner to be exempted from a module and the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credits

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

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

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 136 Credits.

• Fundamental of Nursing Science, 8 Credits.
• Anatomy, 8 Credits.
• Biochemistry, Biophysics, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Sociology, 8 Credits.
• Ethos and professional practice, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Nursing Psychology, 8 Credits.
• Introduction to Community Health, 8 Credits.
• General nursing skills, 64 Credits.
• Microbiology, 8 Credits.
• Reproductive Health Care, 8 Credits

Compulsory Module, Level 6, 228 Credits

• General nursing science (NGC 2541), 12 Credits.
• General nursing science (NGC 2641), 12 Credits.
• Physiology, 8 Credits.
• Pharmacology, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to mental health, 8 Credits.
• General nursing skills, 56 Credits.
• General nursing science (NGC 3541), 16 Credits.
• General nursing science (NGC 3641), 16 Credits.
• Nursing dynamics, 12 Credits.
• Nursing management (Health care information system) & research, 12 Credits.
• Nursing management skills, 16 Credits.
• Community health, assessment and family health, 16 Credits.
• General nursing skills (NGC 3741), 32 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 health care to promote and maintain the optimum health of individuals and families.

Associated Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated manner to the Exit level Outcomes

• Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology in caring for the health care user.
• Apply knowledge of microbiology in caring for the health care user.
• Apply knowledge of psychology and sociology in ways that benefit the quality of healthcare delivered to health care 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 the emotional demands of nursing practice effectively.
• Apply knowledge of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in nursing practice within the applicable scope of practice.
• Prescribe, dispense and administer medications in various healthcare settings within legislative requirements.
• Provide preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative nursing care to different age groups in various health care settings.
• Render nursing care within an ethical legal framework.
• Use and maintain healthcare information systems in the practice of nursing.
• Implement the management process in managing a health care unit.
• Promote and maintain the optimum health of individuals and families through the provision of reproductive health care.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment should integrate the purpose of the qualification, the learning outcomes with the assessment. A range of formative and summative assessment methods is used which permits the learner to demonstrate applied competence.

For each module, learners will be expected to submit one written assignment, write one test, give an oral presentation, and write one 3-hour examination at the end of the semester. For each formative task, the learner will receive written and oral individual and group feedback.

Learners must obtain a minimum of 40% in formative assessment to be admitted to the final examination (summative assessment). The final pass mark will be 50%.