Master of Nursing Science in Ethos and Professional Practice

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to develop the intellectual and practical competencies of the qualifying student and to facilitate their professional values to promote the health of the individual, family, group and community as a specialist, leader and consultant in and as a member of the nursing/health team through their research, professional and clinical abilities. It integrates a wide range of perspectives, giving students a sense of their multiple responsibilities within the nursing and health care environment, while at the same time demonstrating and reinforcing the values and ethics which must form the foundation of all their activities. The students also demonstrate basic competencies related to research to identify and prioritise health/nursing problems and find solutions for these problems by conducting research.

Rationale

The Master of Nursing Science in Ethos and Professional Practice is designed for qualified nurses seeking leadership positions in health care. Graduates will have clinical practice-oriented leadership and specialised research skills that focus on evidence-based practice and on research utilisation for the improvement of clinical care delivery, patient outcomes and system management. There is a need to implement effective, sustainable and affordable improvement in the quality of health care in South Africa.

The Master of Nursing Science in Ethos and Professional Practice provides students with an opportunity to conduct independent research through scientific discourse and investigation, thereby contributing to the development of these fields. The outcome of this programme is a comprehensive and systematic grasp of an in-depth body of knowledge in the areas of health policies, leadership and health care delivery. Thus advancing the development of specialist expert knowledge in this area thereby supporting evidence based professional practice which is at the forefront in this area. The Master's programme provides education and training for a career in the professions and/or industry and is designed around the development of high level performance and innovation in a professional context. The defining characteristic of this programme is that in addition to the demonstration of high level research capability it requires the ability to integrate theory with practice through the application of theoretical knowledge to highly complex problems in a wide range of professional contexts.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

University of Johannesburg (UJ) Policy regulation.

The Faculty of Health Science accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of education and academic practice. It is acknowledged that all learning has value and the Faculty of Health Science will endeavour to assess prior learning and award credit where relevant.

The Faculty of Health Science manages RPL according to the University of Johannesburg's RPL policy, which will be applied as follows for purposes of this programme as set out in the Faculty of Science policy:

• Through RPL a student may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that he/she continues his/her studies at the UJ.
• Recognition takes place in terms of requirements and procedures applied by the Faculty of Health Science.
• RPL in the case of a student not complying with the formal entry requirements.

> Is conducted after payment of the prescribed fees in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the University.

> Is based on other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

> Is considered only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level.

> Takes place where prior learning in terms of applied competencies is relevant to the content and outcomes of the programme is considered in terms of an assessment procedure that includes a motivated recommendation by an assessment panel to the Dean's Committee of the Faculty of Sciences and is finally decided upon by the Faculty of Health Science Dean's Committee.

The following Faculty documentation can be accessed from the yearbook as it pertains to this programme

• Admission policy for this programme.
• RPL policy.

Entry Requirements

At entrance level, the prospective student should have a Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 480 approved Credits at Level 8.

Additional selection criteria

A minimum of 50% in the Research Methodology in Nursing Science at Level 9, or 65% in the core modules in the undergraduate qualification in which the student intends to obtain the Master's Degree.

Proof of registration as a general nurse with the South African Nursing Council (SANC).

A candidate must be appointed in an approved full-time post as a nursing practitioner for the duration of the clinical programme.

This qualification consist of one compulsory module at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

• Masters of Nursing Science in Ethos and Professional Practice, 180 Credits.

1. Effectively practise, in accordance with the professional and legal framework (knowledge, skills and attitudes/values) as a member of the clinical managerial, educational, research and health teams.
2. Demonstrate facilitative interpersonal; communication knowledge, skills, attitudes/values and communicate effectively in verbal and written format as a member of the clinical, managerial, educational, research and health teams.
3. Address clinical, managerial, educational and research needs/problems by taking social, economic, legal, ethical, environmental, cultural and demographic influences into consideration.
4. Demonstrate comprehensive, systematic and integrated specialist knowledge and skills of the discipline.
5. Display advanced research skills
6. Present and communicate the results of research by appropriate academic/professional discourse.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 1

• Effectively participate as a specialist, leader, consultant of the clinical/ health, research managerial and educational teams. Execute relevant clinical, research managerial and educational professional responsibilities within the legal, contracted and authorided scope of practice and job description.
• Adherence to the research and professional- ethical and legal standards (legislation, regulations, code of conduct/values) of the profession, country, university and nursing education institution.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 2

• Effectively apply the principles of facilitative and therapeutic interpersonal skills during interaction with individuals, groups and communities.
• Effectively apply the principles of written, verbal and non-verbal communication skills as a member of the clinical, managerial, educational and research teams. Adherence to scientific and professional-legal communication standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 3

• Effectively address clinical, managerial, educational and research needs and problems within the social, economic, legal, ethical, environmental, cultural and demographic trends/realities/frame-work.
• Demonstrate constructive and effective interaction with people and environments.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 4

• Apply the theories, research methodologies, epistemologies, and methods/techniques relevant to the discipline.
• Use a range of specialised Nursing related skills to identify analyse and deal with complex problems and issues.
• Cite relevant literature and recent trends in the technologies, techniques, models and theories in the field of nursing and health sciences
• Demonstrate advanced information retrieval and processing skills to identify, analyse, synthesise and independently evaluate quantitative and/or qualitative data in the field of.
• Operate in specialised health science contexts and utilise ethical decision-making skills in dealing with complex ethical and professional issues and make informed judgments on such issues.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 5

• Clearly identify and define the research problem.
• Develop and present a research project by applying the correct research methodologies and techniques.
• Draw systematically and creatively on the theories, research methodologies, methods/ techniques (including statistical and mathematical techniques), literature and materials of their discipline/field of choice.
• Operate autonomously and take responsibility for their own work and be accountable for the work of others when working with others in a team.
• Critique and evaluate current research and participate in scholarly debates, addressing both theory and practice, in the science area of specialisation.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes 6

• The research problem, its justification, process and outcome is reported in a dissertation which complies with the generally accepted norms for research at this level.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment

Seminar presentations and student/supervisor consultations.

Summative assessment

• Research Dissertation.