Higher Certificate in Auxiliary Nursing

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to produce nurses that will provide basic nursing care in all spheres of health care service delivery, by providing the nurse with a wide range of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills to develop skills in assessment, planning, and implementation of basic nursing care and writing and oral communication skills.

Rationale

A first-level nurse, capable of delivering skilled basic nursing care, is essential to health care in a variety of settings. Combining nursing care with prevention and promotion makes this nurse a strong primary health care worker. The competence of this first-level nurse will be in line with the Nursing Act 30 of 2005 and the nursing scope of practice.

This learner works under the supervision of a nurse with a National Diploma or Degree in Nursing within the applicable scope of practice.

The rationale is to provide independently in a variety of health care settings within the relevant legal and ethical parameters.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) for access to this qualification or credit-bearing exemptions, an application must be submitted according to the RPL policy of the institution for individual assessment.

A learner who, based on RPL, is granted exemption from doing certain modules will complete the qualification with a total number of credits that is less than the normally required number of credits for the qualification. The learner will not be compelled to do more modules to make up for the difference in the total number of credits.

The recognition of credits obtained in prior formal learning for credit accumulation and transfer (CAT) will be determined by the nature of the previous qualification and curriculum completed and for which CAT is applied. The relationship between the former qualification and the Higher Certificate in Nursing, the nature of the assessment and the time that elapsed between completion of the prior learning and the application for CAT will be evaluated. No prior formal learning credits obtained more than five years ago will be recognised. Credits for an incomplete qualification may be recognised as meeting part of this qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate or an equivalent qualification, NQF Level 4 granting access to higher certificate studies.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits

• Bio-Medical Sciences and Pharmacology, 16 Credits
• Effective communication, 2 Credits
• Basic nursing care, 18 Credits
• Work Integrated Learning, 72 Credits
• Trans Cultural Nursing, 2 Credits
• Professionalism and Ethics, 2 Credits
• Basic community nursing, 8 Credits

1. Apply basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biophysics, pharmacology and microbiology in the provision of nursing care.
2. Communicate effectively in a variety of ways in a nursing context.
3. Use the scientific nursing approach to address the basic needs of individuals and groups in various health care settings.
4. Demonstrate appropriate methods of interacting sensitively and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds.
5. Maintain professionalism in nursing practice within the ethical and legal framework.
6. Participate in addressing the needs of individuals and groups in a community.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss macro body structure and functioning by the nursing care provided, following the relevant scope of practice.
• Describe the structure and functioning of anatomy, physiology, biophysics, pharmacology and microbiology in the provision of nursing care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Maintain oral and written communications to promote effective fundamental nursing care.
• Demonstrate clear, relevant and unambiguous written communication.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Implement and evaluate individual and/or group health care plans across the health-illness continuum in collaboration with other members of the health care team.
• Apply information obtained from continuous monitoring of responses to nursing interventions to the individual or group.
• Apply appropriate emergency care and first aid principles in respect of treatment of injuries and accidents and basic life support.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Implement basic nursing interventions with sensitivity to people of diverse backgrounds.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Record data in compliance with legal criteria.
• Maintain patient records accurately, concisely and systematically, to reflect the basic nursing care rendered.
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of patient information in interaction with patients and others.
• Display adherence to professional code of conduct in the provision of nursing care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Participate in addressing the needs of individuals and groups in a community.
• Implement health promotion programmes.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment strategy for the qualification is maintained in accordance with the Lenmed College assessment policy. The aim of the assessments is to assess student learning, knowledge, skill and attitude development throughout the qualification, using relevant and reliable evaluation methodologies and instruments. The assessment approaches adopted for the qualification are continuous (formative) and integrated (summative) assessment approaches in both the theoretical and practical components of the qualification.