Higher Certificate in Nursing

Purpose

The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Nursing qualification is to produce auxiliary nurses who display applied competence which includes knowledge, skills and reflective practice. The knowledge emphasizes auxiliary principles and their application in the provision of basic nursing care. They are independent and critical-thinking auxiliary nurses who will be guided by political, social and economic issues affecting the health of the people of Limpopo Province.

Upon completion of the qualification, learners will be able to

• Apply basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biophysics, pharmacology and microbiology in the provision of nursing care.
• Communicate effectively in a variety of ways in a nursing context.
• Apply the scientific nursing approach to address the basic needs of individuals and groups in a various health care setting.
• Demonstrate appropriate methods of interacting sensitively and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Maintain professionalism in nursing practice within the ethical and legal framework.

Rationale

This qualification is intended to prepare the midwifery learners to meet the health needs of Limpopo Province. Practice is focused on quality service delivery within a broad spectrum of healthcare services. Nurses in this category will assume responsibility for the broad scope of the burden of disease (Communicable diseases e.g., HIV/AIDS, Malaria, etc. and non-communicable diseases including Diabetes mellitus, Hypertension etc.) in the health care service of Limpopo province. 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).

Learners will be equipped to render a comprehensive health care service to improve the health needs of all citizens of Limpopo Province. Auxiliary nurses provide preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative health care services to ensure healthy citizens and workforce which in turn will have a positive impact on the economy of Limpopo Province.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for access

The institution accepts RPL as prescribed by the South African Nursing Council (SANC) and CHE which allows an individual to receive recognition and credit for the knowledge and skills they have, irrespective of how and where it was attained. This can include the achievement of skills and knowledge from:

• Formal: Previous study (including courses at school or college, through adult education classes or training programs at work).
• Informal: Work experience (including both work that is paid and unpaid); and
• Non-formal: Life experience (for example leisure pursuits or voluntary work).
• The accredited admission requirements of the institution make provision for the application and implementation of RPL including nurses with legacy qualifications.
• RPL shall assist in meeting the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of the qualification for which credits are sought.
• Access to any programme via RPL must be evaluated against the specific requirements of each programme as determined by the institution.
• The criteria must not be a replica of the mainstream study but rather accommodate knowledge and skills gained outside the higher education institution (HEI).
• RPL assessment may result in the achievement of a full qualification or a Statement of Attainment for partial completion (Number of Unit Standards achieved).
• Any person wishing to study and seeking an RPL assessment may apply for an RPL assessment.

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

• Integrated Anatomy & Physiology, 8 Credits.
• Applied Physics & Chemistry, 8 Credits.
• Basic Nursing Care, 48 Credits.
• Foundations of Nursing Science, 24 Credits.
• Community Health Nursing, 32 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 healthcare 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

• Illustrate an understanding of macro body structure and functioning by the nursing care provided, in accordance with the relevant scope of practice.
• Explain the structure and functioning of anatomy, physiology, biophysics, pharmacology and microbiology as demonstrated in the care and provision of nursing.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Maintain oral and written communication to promote effective fundamental nursing care.
• Produce clear written communication that is relevant and unambiguous.
• Maintain congruent oral communication to promote effective fundamental nursing care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Implement individual and group healthcare plans across the health-illness continuum and evaluate them in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team.
• Apply information obtained from continuous monitoring of responses to nursing interventions is correctly applied to the individual or group.
• Apply appropriate emergency care and first aid principles with respect to the 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.
• Apply professional ethical codes of conduct, values, and practices during nursing interventions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

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

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Recognise health prevention/promotion needs and adequately participate in addressing the needs of individuals and groups in a community.
• Implement health promotion programmes to address the needs of individuals and groups in a community.

INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Summative Assessment

Learners shall undergo a minimum of four (4) assessments per module with weighting assessments as follows

• Test = 55%
• Assignment = 15%
• Case Study = 15%
• Groupwork = 15%

A fifth optional assessment shall be made available to learners who fail to obtain a minimum year mark of 45% and those who fail to undergo one of the assessments.

The total marks of all written assessments shall be divided by the number of assessments written.

Work Integrated Learning

Learners shall be assessed on skills after they have met the requirements as stipulated in the clinical workbooks

• All clinical skills are important and need to be assessed
• Identified clinical skills shall be assessed by the lecturers
• Learners shall be notified five working days before an assessment is conducted by lecturers
• Constructive feedback shall be given to the students immediately after the assessment is conducted
• A student shall be allowed to repeat a skill until he/she is competent. NB: A student who repeats a skill shall be awarded a maximum mark of 50%

Integrated learning for each module even if a qualifying year mark is obtained. The remaining 20% of WIL hours shall be covered after the final examination. The students shall be allocated to clinical facilities before the end of the academic year.

Summative Assessment

The summative examination will be written at the end of each academic year and shall be set by the lecturers concerned and moderated by appointed moderators.

Learners shall not be allowed to sit for any summative assessment unless they have attended at least 80% of all theoretical contacts and work.