Higher Certificate in Nursing

Purpose

This qualification is an entry level qualification, designed to provide the learner with the necessary knowledge and skills required to function as a registered auxiliary nurse in both private and public health care facilities. The qualification will enable learners to utilise their knowledge of anatomy, microbiology, physiology and Patho-physiology to provide fundamental nursing care under the direction of nurse practitioners in a higher category. They will:

• Focus on the implementation of fundamental patient care and treatment.
• Assist registered health professionals with treatment of patients.
• Develop skills that allow for handling emergency situations.
• Be competent to deliver a service in accordance with the required health and safety regulations, ethics and health codes of practice for auxiliary nurses.

This qualification is aligned to the new nursing categories laid down in the Nursing Act of 2005, (Act No 33 of 2005), where provision is made for a registered auxiliary nurse.

The successful candidate will be eligible for registration as an auxiliary nurse with the South African Nursing Council (SANC).

Rationale

South Africa has grown health needs and a shortage of nurses in both private and public health care institutions. This qualification should address the shortage of nurse practitioners available to provide fundamental nursing care in South Africa by providing a registered auxiliary nurse that is competent to work in certain areas of critical shortage. The burden on other healthcare professionals can thus be reduced as other healthcare professionals can manage the complicated cases and direct the care given by registered auxiliary nurses.

The critical shortage of nurses has led to the need for private institutions to offer training for nurses; nevertheless, this programme is also suitable for the public sector and provides the knowledge and skills required for practical application in the workplace. This qualification is suitable for those working in Community Clinics and for those wishing to work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a hospital setting.

The registered auxiliary nurse will be able to function in a wide variety of healthcare settings and provide fundamental care to patients. The registered auxiliary nurse will be able to provide for the basic needs of patients and provide a supportive function to staff nurses, professional nurses and to other healthcare professionals. Auxiliary nurse practitioners are not equipped to function independently and will need to work under the supervision of higher category nurse practitioners or medical practitioners.

Recognition of Prior Learning:(RPL)

This qualification can be achieved wholly, or in part, through Recognition of Prior Learning. Evidence may be presented in a variety of forms, including previous international or local qualifications, reports, testimonials, mentoring, portfolios, work records and performance appraisals. Recognition will be granted in accordance with the specific institutional requirements, in agreement with the relevant Quality Council.

Access to the Qualification

• A National Senior Certificate or National Certificate: Vocational at NQF Level 4 with minimal requirements for admission to Higher Certificate and Diploma studies as Gazetted for Higher Education.
• Any science subject at NQF Level 4.
• Recognition of Prior Learning.

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, NQF Level 6, 120 Credits

• Professional Practice 1; 16 Credits.
• Integrated Science (General) 1; 16 Credits.
• Anatomy 1; 12 Credits.
• Physiology 1; 12 Credits.
• Nursing Science 1; 64 Credits.

1. Apply knowledge of biomedical, biotechnological and psychosocial sciences to the practice of fundamental nursing.
2. Participate in the implementation of fundamental nursing care.
3. Maintain professionalism in own nursing practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Apply knowledge of fundamental psychology and sociology to ensure the support of the patients' needs and the quality of health care delivery.
• Apply knowledge of anatomy, micro-organisms and physiology is applied to ensure the promotion of effective health care delivery.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Implement Nursing care in an integrated manner according to the nursing care plans.
• Deliver Nursing care to provide the necessary physical and psychological care and support for patients in line with the accepted scope of practice for nursing.
• Provide support to patients recovering from acute illness or surgical procedures to prepare them for discharge in ways that enable the patient, family and/or significant others to cope with the management of the patient at home.
• Provide information to the patient and/or significant others to identify relapse or development of complications and ways of preventing these.
• Record all relevant nursing activities according to applicable regulations and all documentation is current and accurate.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Use interpersonal skills effectively to maintain positive interpersonal relationships with patients and members of the healthcare team.
• Include a range of interpersonal skills, but is not limited to: Patient confidentiality, advocacy, cultural sensitivity and recognition of diversity.
• Ensure that the interpersonal communication support the needs of patients and/or significant others, and cooperative and support the members of the healthcare team.
• Apply consistently ethical codes, professional accountability and responsibility and standards for the practice of nursing in line with their spirit and intent.
• Apply relevant Nursing and Health Care Legislation to ensure the safety of personnel and patients and prevent the occurrence of medico-legal incidents.
• Frequently check and test all emergency equipment and lines of communication to ensure effective responses and reactions when needed.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment may be given by means of

• Case presentations.
• Clinical simulations.
• Workbooks.
• Clinical evaluations.

Formative assessment of all the clinical procedures to assess the progress of the students is carried out to identify problem areas and assess the standard of work. Progress is documented in student records through monthly reports written by the unit manager/mentor in the clinical setting and quarterly reports written by the unit manager in the clinical setting.

Summative evaluation may be made by means of

• Written examination.

And/or

• Clinical examination.

Learners must obtain at least 70% in a system of continuous assessment by the learning centre for the clinical aspects to obtain examination admission. Quality assurance will be done according toinstitution's policies and procedures.

Weekly to two-weekly follow-up of learners in the clinical setting is made by the educators to assess learner progress and to ensure that the learners are rotated through the different disciplines/areas as indicated on the rotation schedule.