Master of Nursing in Community Health

Purpose

The qualification is an academic and vocational programme, which aims to equip learners with specialised skills and knowledge in the field of nursing practice, health service administration or nursing education. It also prepares learners to be multi-sectoral leaders, programme managers, consultants, change agents and researchers.

Rationale

This qualification is designed to enable clinical nurse specialists in Community Health Nursing to provide advanced nursing care to individual and groups in communities with special reference to the variables in the community settings. Moreover, the qualification will lead to producing achieving learners who can reflect critically on theory and its application and be able to deal with complex community health issues systematically and creatively in order to improve health care outcomes for the community. Learners completing this qualification are able to function with advanced practical competencies within community health nursing resulting in the ability to function as leaders, consultants, and specialist practitioners in providing evidence-based care.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Prior learning will be recognised in the form of appropriate professional qualifications in health sciences, practical experience, or other recognised university qualifications

The following learners who have a minimum of 5-years' work experience in a research unit or as a nurse researcher and who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be admitted through RPL:

• Learners with a 3-year Degree in General Nursing, Level 6.

Or

• Learners with a Bachelor of Technology in Nursing, Level 7.

A portfolio providing documentary evidence in support of the specific RPL application must be provided.

Entry Requirements.

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Nursing, Level 8.
• Bachelor of Nursing Honours, Level 8.
• Postgraduate Diploma specialising in Community Health, Primary Health Care, Occupational Health Nursing or Public Health, Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 176 Credits

• Community Health Nursing, 16 Credits.
• Evaluation of Health Care Systems, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Community Health Promotion, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Practice: Nurse Role, 16 Credits.
• Nursing Research and Nursing Research Methods, 16 Credits.
• Nursing Research Project, 96 Credits.

Elective Modules, 16 Credits (Choose one)

• Comparative Health Systems, 16 Credits.
• Health Systems and Policy, 16 Credits.
• Health Measurement (Descriptive), 16 Credits.

1. Function at a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.
2. Demonstrate critical reflection in the implementation and evaluation of national and local health care plans and policies.
3. Implement reflective practice in relation to implementation of best practice benchmarks based on independent review, critique and synthesis of research outputs leading to improved community health for individuals, groups and communities.
4. Relate knowledge to the resolution of complex community health problems.
5. Contextualise health systems and processes based on an understanding of historical and current trends.
6. Critique, synthesise and implement specialised community health care interventions based on sound judgment using prevalence and incidence indicators related to specific community health needs.
7. Disseminate contextually relevant information not only within academic forums but also within community health care forums that represent key stakeholder within specific communities.
8. Conduct independent review, critique and implementation of evidence based practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes applied in an integrated manner

• Function at a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.
• Critically reflect on the implementation and evaluation of national and local health care plans and policies.
• Implement reflective practice in relation to implementation of best practice benchmarks based on independent review, critique and synthesis of research outputs leading to improved community health for individuals, groups and communities.
• Relate knowledge to the resolution of complex community health problems.
• Contextualise health systems and processes based on an understanding of historical and current trends.
• Critique, synthesise and implement specialised community health care interventions based on sound judgment using prevalence and incidence indicators related to specific community health needs.
• Disseminate contextually relevant information not only within academic forums but also within community health care forums that represent key stakeholder within specific communities.
• Conduct independent review, critique and implementation of evidence based practice.

Integrated Assessment

Cases Studies/Assignments and Seminars provide the opportunity for formative integrative assessment of knowledge, skills (cognitive and interpersonal) and attitudes.

Summative Assessment in each module includes assessment of learners' ability to critique current knowledge from international; national and local sources. In addition, summative assessments assess the learners' ability to use reflective practice and problem solving skills to plan; implement and evaluate community health interventions aimed at improving health care outcomes.

The research project is a practical real life integrated assessment of the learners' application and integration of knowledge from this programme.