Doctor of Nursing Science

This qualification includes the various specialisations in Nursing Science. Please refer to "Notes" for details on the specialisations.

Purpose

The qualification requires a candidate to undertake research at an advanced academic level culminating in the production, defence and acceptance of a thesis. The candidate is required to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution in the field. The purpose of the qualification is to develop the ability of students with Master's Degrees/qualifying students in various fields of study, to conduct research in a chosen field of study. In addition to a huge sense of personal achievement, this qualification develops the student to make a direct contribution to the advancement of knowledge in area.

Rationale

The purpose of this qualification is to provide doctoral level opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth and rewarding contributions to Nursing Science and Health care. The extension of the body of knowledge in Nursing Science is intended.

This qualification is also to provide South Africa with experts in Nursing Science including Nursing research to ensure that the local and international leadership base of innovative and knowledge based scholarly activity is widened.

The qualification requires a student to undertake research at an advanced academic level culminating in the production, defence and acceptance of a thesis. The defining characteristic of the qualification is that the candidate is required to demonstrate high-level research capability and make a significant and original academic contribution to the field of Nursing. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in the field of study that provide opportunities for continued personal growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Faculty of Health Science accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the Faculty of Health Science will endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

The Faculty of Health Science manages RPL according to the University of Johannesburg's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this programme as set out in the Faculty of Health Science policy:

• Through RPL a student may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty of Health Science.

RPL in the case of a student not complying with the formal entry requirements.

• Is conducted after payment of the prescribed fees in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the University.
• Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.
• Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required National Qualifications Framework (NQF)-level.
• Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the programme.
• Is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Health Science.
• Is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Health Science Dean's Committee.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

• Thesis: Nursing Science (Research).

1. Within the research context: effectively access, analyse, interpret, diagnose, prioritise manage, implement, evaluate and report comprehensive health needs and problems based on relevant knowledge frameworks.
2. Effectively practice as researcher in the nursing and health team and leader of the education team by applying relevant knowledge, skills and values.
3. Participate as an autonomous, competent, responsible, professionally accountable, reflective researcher in the nursing and health context within the legal-ethical framework of nursing and health in South Africa.
4. Identify, reflect on, conduct original research in the health environment, propose relevant solutions for the problem, and participate as a member of a research team based on related knowledge frameworks and research methodology.
5. Demonstrate and facilitate interpersonal communication knowledge, skills and attitudes in conducting original research. Communicate research results effectively in oral and written format.
6. Use technology and information technology effectively in conducting original research.
7. Understand and solve nursing and health research needs and problems, indicators and risk factors by taking social, economic, legal, ethical, environmental, cultural and demographic influences into consideration.
8. Explore and reflect on a variety of learning and problem-solving strategies in research and develop an attitude for lifelong learning.
9. Explore and identify nursing and health trends and problems in society for research to empower people for the promotion of their health.
10. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity in the promotion of health of the individual, family, group and community through research.
11. Demonstrate self-knowledge and skills for the management of own career.
12. Develop and demonstrate entrepreneur's skills through research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Conduct a holistic/comprehensive assessment of health needs and problems of the individual, family, group and community.
• Effectively analyse, interpret data related to the nursing and health needs and problems in order to diagnose and prioritise needs and problems of individuals, families, groups and communities.
• Effectively plan, provide and manage nursing and health needs and problems in order to address the needs of individuals, families, groups and communities through research.
• Formulate standards and evaluate the quality of nursing.
• Justify decisions and actions supported by relevant knowledge frameworks of nursing sciences and basic sciences.
• Demonstrate open-mindedness by thorough enquiry and exploration of alternatives.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Provide research results on indicators to effectively and relevantly refer individuals, families, groups and communities to persons in the helping professions.
• Provide research results on indicators to effectively advocate and communicate on behalf of the individual, family, group and community.
• Practice within the scope of practice of the registered nursing professional as a member of the health and nursing team.
• Co-ordinate the research activities of members of the nursing team and collaborate with the members of the nursing and health team.
• Demonstrate effective research leadership and management knowledge and skills as leader of the nursing team.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate responsibility by submitting research on time and comply with professional responsibilities during practice.
• Demonstrate the assessment of own competency in research, based on the knowledge framework, standards for quality assurance and moral values of the profession.
• Display a thorough knowledge of the legal-ethical framework of research in nursing and health in South Africa.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Display advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes related to research.
• Effectively identify, prioritise problems and conduct research in a nursing and health environment.
• Propose relevant solutions for identified research problems in nursing and health.
• Conduct as an individual original research and participate as a member of the nursing and health team by displaying understanding of scientific procedures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Apply the principles of facilitative, empathetic, interpersonal communication skills during interaction and reporting research on nursing and health.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills as a member of the nursing and health team nationally and internationally.
• Display thorough understanding of the legal issues of record keeping in research in nursing and health.
• Apply communication skills effectively during reporting research on nursing and health.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Demonstrate the ability to use technology effectively during the research process.
• Demonstrate the ability to employ information technology during the research process.
• Demonstrate the understanding of the dynamic nature of knowledge and the essence of a life-long attitude of learning.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Demonstrate research insight in the analysis and solving of nursing and health needs and problems by taking social, economic, legal, ethical, environmental, cultural and demographic influences into consideration.
• Evaluate the position and problems of nursing and health service research in relation to a broader context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Demonstrate the application of a variety of appropriate learning and problem-solving strategies in research.
• Characterise an attitude for lifelong learning in research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9

• Demonstrate the ability to explore, identify and analyse nursing and health needs and problems in society in research to facilitate people's health.
• Demonstrate skills to mobilise resources in research regarding the individual, families, groups and communities for the promotion of their health.
• Demonstrate skills to empower individuals, families, groups and communities in the promotion of their health through research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10

Demonstrates cultural sensitivity in the promotion of health of the individual, family, group and community through research.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11

• Demonstrate self-knowledge and skills to manage own career.
• Demonstrate skills for an employment interview.
• Manage own career within available career opportunities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12

Demonstrate entrepreneur's skills through research. in empowering of the individual, group and community to promote their health.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment takes place through the thesis, in which the student is expected to show competency in all outcomes and specifically to present integrated research findings that are interpreted and linked to the existing literature across the entire area of the investigation.

Each learner is assigned a supervisor based on their area of specialisation. The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Policy: Student-supervisor relationship outlines the rights and obligations of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students and supervisors and co-supervisors. It gives a clear and concise outline of the expectations of both parties with the aim of aiding the development and maintenance of a sound and productive relationship between student and supervisor.