Higher Certificate in Nursing

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Nursing is to provide learners with the basic knowledge, affective, cognitive, and conceptual tools and practical techniques for additional higher education studies in nursing. The knowledge emphasises general principles and their application in the provision of basic nursing care. This qualification signifies that the learner has attained a basic level of higher education knowledge and competence in nursing and can apply such knowledge and competence in the workplace.

Qualifying learners will demonstrate the ability to integrate the specific knowledge, skills, judgement, and personal attributes required for a health professional to practice safely and ethically in a designated role and setting. Learners will apply responsibility and professional accountability.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Apply knowledge of theory and practice of basic nursing care.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate basic nursing care for individuals and groups throughout the life span.
• Demonstrate professionalism when rendering basic nursing care.

Rationale

This qualification serves to provide an entry-level qualification to the profession of nursing. Learners who obtain this qualification will be deemed competent in applying basic knowledge, and affective, cognitive, and psychomotor skills. This qualification is in line with the current higher education landscape and the healthcare systems in the country and is also aligned with the Higher Education Qualifications Framework (HEQF), new nursing qualifications and the new scope of practice for nurses as envisaged by South African Nursing Council (SANC).

This qualification can provide learners who are skilled in basic nursing care, which is essential to healthcare in a variety of settings. Combining nursing care with prevention and promotion makes these nurses a strong primary healthcare worker. The competence of this first-level nurse will be in line with the recommendation of the Pick Report nurse training to be expanded to include essential skills needed in the community.

The qualifying learners for this qualification carry out basic nursing procedures and take care of healthcare users on a less specialised level under the supervision of a nurse with a National Diploma or Degree in Nursing within the applicable scope of practice.

This qualification fulfils an essential healthcare role regarding the provision of healthcare within the military environment and the Republic of South Africa (RSA) with various healthcare needs, under the direct supervision of a General Nurse. Qualifying learners will be able to function independently in both facility and community-based settings.

The institution is the only Military Nursing College in South Africa with a unique culture, rules, regulations and demands which differ slightly from those of other Nursing Education Institutions. Nurse educators and learners are employed by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) and are uniformed members who are simultaneously soldiers as well as nurses. This unique capability provides the SANDF with suitable trained military nurses to fulfil its mandate within the country. The Department of Defence requires trained competent nurses to provide nursing care to defence force members and their dependents as well as military veterans. The geographical location, rural areas of the country and scarcity of healthcare practitioners' result in disparities in the accessibility of healthcare services in South Africa. The training of nurses will also increase the capabilities both nationally and internationally as the skill can be utilised in operational deployments and humanitarian aid actions where the host countries lack the human capacity or are overwhelmed by services to be provided.

The training of Defence Force members is an essential part of force preparation and may encompass instruction at any military or tertiary institution for higher education and learning in the world, as well as practical training which must include physical training, sports, structured recreational activities, and military exercises (Defence Act no 42 of 2001: 10). The Institution has been assigned the responsibility of training Auxiliary Nurses to complement the Defence Force operational needs as well as upgrade the country's capabilities. This qualification must therefore meet the aforementioned capabilities required from a Military Nurse and will be emphasised in the Higher Certificate in Nursing programme in the Basic Nursing Care (BNC102) module where the learners are taught to render basic first aid to ensure safe action in an emergency situation.

On successful completion of the qualification, the learners are eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as an Auxiliary Nurse.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access

• Learners 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.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, 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 credit

• 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 formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

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

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4 without endorsement.

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

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 120 Credits.

• Anatomy, Physiology and Biophysics, 8 Credits.
• Pharmacology and Microbiology for Nurses, 4 Credits.
• Ethos and Professional Practice, 6 Credits.
• Communication, 4 Credits.
• Basic Nursing Care I, 33 Credits.
• Applied Psycho-Sociology, 4 Credits.
• Basic Nursing Care II, 33 Credits.
• Transcultural Nursing, 4 Credits.
• Basic Community Health, 24 Credits.

1. Apply knowledge of Anatomy, Physiology, Biophysics, Pharmacology and Microbiology in nursing practice in various healthcare settings.
2. Communicate effectively in diverse health settings ensuring cultural sensitivity with individuals, families, groups, and community members during rendering of holistic nursing care.
3. Apply a scientific nursing approach to meet the basic needs of individuals, families, groups, and community members throughout the lifespan in various health- care settings.
4. Demonstrate sensitivity and professionalism during discourse with colleagues and healthcare users to affirm the values of the profession.
5. Ensure professionalism to promote a positive environment that fosters ethical nursing practice.
6. Participate in addressing the needs of individuals, families, groups, and community members throughout the lifespan in various healthcare settings.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply knowledge of the structure and function of macro bodies in nursing practice according to the relevant scope of practice.
• Apply knowledge of the structure and functions of Anatomy, Physiology, Biophysics, Pharmacology and Microbiology in the management of healthcare users.
• Illustrate an understanding of physiology applied to the nursing care provided within the relevant scope of practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Illustrate sensitivity and respect in all communications with individuals, families, groups, and community members from diverse backgrounds.
• Maintain oral and written communication to promote effective fundamental nursing care.
• Write clear, relevant, and unambiguous communication.
• Provide congruent non-verbal communication with oral communication.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Implement and evaluate healthcare plans for individuals, families, groups, and community members in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team.
• Apply information obtained from continuous monitoring of responses to nursing interventions correctly for all healthcare users.
• Apply appropriate emergency care and first aid principles in basic life support and when treating injuries and accidents.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Implement basic nursing interventions sensitively and professionally to people from diverse backgrounds.
• Provide a professionally sensitive, safe, and therapeutic environment for the individual, family, and community from diverse backgrounds.
• Illustrate an understanding of nursing practice in the context of a multi-cultural milieu.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Record healthcare information in accordance with legal criteria.
• Maintain healthcare users' records systematically, accurately, and concisely to indicate the care provided in nursing practice.
• Maintain the confidentiality and integrity of healthcare users' information during interaction with them and other members of the healthcare team.
• Adhere to the professional code of conduct when delivering treatment to healthcare users.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Implement healthcare promotion programmes for individuals, families, groups, and community members.
• Participate in addressing the needs of individuals and groups in a community.
• Render basic first aid to healthcare users.