Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing

Purpose

The purpose of the Postgraduate Diploma in Primary Care Nursing is to strengthen and deepen the learners' knowledge and expertise as a speciality of the nursing profession. It is designed to develop the learners' skills based on current thinking, practice, and research methods in the field of primary care nursing. A high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence is needed to acquire the ability to relate knowledge to a range of contexts, undertake professional and highly skilled workers, and conduct a research project under supervision. This includes prevention of disease, injury, complications, screening, appropriate management, and prompt referral of patients with specific and complex health problems in the primary care settings.

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

• Practice within the ethical legal parameters of the nursing profession in a Primary Health Care setting and resolve professional-ethical dilemmas by using decision-making and moral reasoning models.
• Apply basic knowledge and principles of research methodology in the field of primary care nursing.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of primary health care in a variety of health care settings, in order to promote health outcomes.
• Render and coordinate comprehensive, multi-sectoral and people-centred primary health care in a variety of healthcare settings, to promote health outcomes.
• Apply scientific knowledge and principles of the systematic review and guideline development process, to evaluate and review the standard of guidelines used in primary care practice.
• Apply principles of evidence-based care to ensure quality primary care practice.
• Implement strategies to develop self and peers by promoting self-directedness through a process of precepting and mentoring.
• Manage primary care nursing services by implementing effective medico-legal norms, practices and standards within an inter-professional team.

Rationale

South Africa is currently facing healthcare challenges such as the high burden of diseases and there is a shortage of key healthcare personnel. The public health sector is under pressure to deliver services to about 80% of the population. Therefore, there is a dire need to train nurses to render comprehensive healthcare to the citizens of South Africa. Nurses trained in primary care nursing can contribute to the realisation of the Department of Health's vision of a long and healthy life for all South Africans by promoting health, preventing disease, treating patients with acute and chronic conditions, managing communicable and non-communicable diseases, and rehabilitate those in need of rehabilitation in the community.

The qualification will strengthen and deepen the learner student's knowledge in the field of primary care nursing. It will enable the primary care nursing specialist to undertake advanced reflection and development using a systematic survey of current thinking, practice, and research methods in primary care nursing. The primary care nurse specialist will act as a leader of the primary healthcare team.

The South African Nursing Council (SANC) published the competencies required for primary care nurse specialists which this qualification meets. Furthermore, it aims to address the needs of the national healthcare human resources plan of the National Department of Health. Primary care nurse specialists will be able to render specialist primary nursing care in rural and urban primary healthcare facilities in the public and private healthcare sectors. This qualification will enable qualifying learners to register with SANC as Primary Care Nurse specialists.

Qualifying learners will be able to work as primary Care Nurse specialists in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare settings, function as an expert within the District Clinical Specialist Teams and render advanced primary care nursing care in specialized units where primary care patients are treated.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy which is 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 may be applied for access, credits from modules and credits for or towards the qualification.

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 should they be allowed entrance into the qualification.

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

• Advanced Diploma in Midwifery, NQF Level 7 granting access to a Postgraduate Diploma.

Or

• Bachelor of Nursing, NQF Level 7 granting access to a Postgraduate Diploma.

Or

• A Relevant Qualification in the Related Field, NQF Level 7, granting access to a Postgraduate Diploma.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 8 totalling 126 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 126 Credits.

• Fundamental Nursing: Primary Care Nursing, 16 Credits.
• Post-basic pharmacology, 4 Credits.
• Ear, Nose and Throat system, Eye system, Skin system, 4 Credits.
• Respiratory system & Cardiovascular system, 4 Credits.
• HIV, STI and Genito-urinary system, 4 Credits.
• Introduction to research, 4 Credits.
• Clinical practice in Primary Care Nursing 1, 40 Credits.
• Research Project, 6 Credits.
• Gastrointestinal system and endocrine system, 6 Credits.
• Musculo-Skeletal System and Central nervous system and Mental health, 6 Credits.
• Clinical practice in Primary Care Nursing 2, 32 Credits.

1. Practice within the ethical legal parameters of the nursing profession in a Primary Health Care setting and resolve professional-ethical dilemmas by using decision-making and moral reasoning models.
2. Apply basic knowledge and principles of research methodology in the field of primary care nursing.
3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of primary health care in a variety of health care settings, to promote health outcomes.
4. Render and coordinate comprehensive, multi-sectoral and people-centred primary health care in a variety of healthcare settings, to promote health outcomes.
5. Apply scientific knowledge and principles of the systematic review and guideline development process, to evaluate and review the standard of guidelines used in primary care practice.
6. Apply principles of evidence-based care to ensure quality primary care practice.
7. Implement strategies to develop self and peers by promoting self-directedness through a process of precepting and mentoring.
8. Manage primary care nursing services by implementing effective medico-legal norms, practices, and standards within an inter-professional team.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Use critical decision-making and moral reasoning models to guide clinical practice and resolve professional-ethical dilemmas within primary health care nursing practice.
• Apply the relevant latest legislation, policies, protocols, regulations, and guidelines regarding primary health care nursing in various healthcare settings.
• Practice and facilitate advocacy in the patient's best interests.
• Interpret and apply ethical codes, professional accountability, responsibility, confidentiality, and standards for the practice of primary care nursing consistently and correctly.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Apply academic writing skills in the research report.
• Appraise research articles in the field of primary care nursing through the application of basic knowledge of research methodology.
• Differentiate qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods research designs accurately.
• Integrate evidence-based practice of research findings for safe, effective, and efficient practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Promote health outcomes through knowledge of primary health care nursing in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Interpret and use epidemiological data pertaining to primary care nursing to plan a community awareness programme/campaign.
• Identify and debate legislation, policies and guidelines relevant to the primary care of clients, and communicate recommendations to authorities.
• Identify strategies to ensure that the human rights of clients in primary care are respected.
• Use the best available evidence to plan a healthy environment for the primary care of clients throughout the levels of healthcare.
• Discuss and explore triage principles within a primary care setting.
• Use legislation on drug prescriptions, storage, disposal and dispensing to evaluate current practice.
• Debate the influence of the social, political, cultural and economic developments within the country on the provision of primary care.
• Explore and debate suitable injury/ condition-specific assessment techniques for primary care of clients to improve health outcomes.
• Use biomedical, pharmacology and psychosocial sciences to explain the interpretation of health assessment findings and management of conditions affecting primary care clients.
• Interpret and explain subjective and objective assessments in order to make a nursing diagnosis.
• Establish care priorities in relation to the primary care clients' problems and severity, with due consideration of system and practice challenges.
• Monitor, and interpret the health status of primary care clients continuously and plan actions within an inter-professional team.
• Explain and debate the rationale and safety measures of technology used in assessing and treating primary care clients.
• Explore and debate care pathways and the referral system.
• Use legislative and care standards to evaluate records of primary care clients.
• Evaluate the accuracy of data pertaining to primary care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Apply triage principles to clients awaiting treatment at a primary care facility.
• Apply comprehensive assessment of clients competently.
• Calculate the severity of a primary care client's injury/condition according to standardised tools and execute optimal interventions within the limitations of the system and practice.
• Monitor and interpret the health status of the primary care clients continuously.
• Use technology appropriately and safely in ways that facilitate diagnosing and treatment of primary care clients.
• Apply principles of health dialogue to negotiate the treatment plan with the clients and family.
• Use care pathways and the referral system appropriately.
• Audit records of primary care clients to evaluate the standard of care.
• Capture and utilise primary health data (statistics) accurately to improve primary health care nursing practice.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Evaluate and report current evidence-based guidelines used in primary care practice at predestined times to improve health care.
• Apply academic and professional writing skills in reports and guidelines.
• Formulate research questions according to the PICO and other formats.
• Appraise evidence-based practice, theories, or models on primary care critically and adopt best practice guidelines to improve health care service delivery.
• Search databases by using Boolean and other information search strategies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• Promote quality of patient care and safety by implementing evidence-based practice.
• Use systematic reviews to improve client experience and outcomes in primary care practice.
• Perform quality audits aimed at improving patient services at predetermined times.
• Critique, develop and implement clinical standards for primary care practice.
• Monitor patient outcomes, including quality patient care and safety continuously.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• Apply precepting and mentoring processes to develop self and peers.
• Develop thinking/reasoning processes of self and others through facilitation of learning.
• Apply learning theories in own development and the development of others.
• Create a positive learning environment by supporting peers and novices.
• Establish and use academic networks to sustain personal development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

• Manage primary care services according to medico-legal norms, practices, and standards within an inter-professional team.
• Apply appropriate leadership styles within the primary care inter-professional team.
• Create and document shared decision-making opportunities regarding primary care services.
• Access and use benchmarks and best practices to develop indicators for quality and cost-effectiveness in primary care nursing.
• Mobilise and utilise resources to optimize primary care nursing.
• Use reporting pathways optimally.
• Analyse and optimised referral/care pathways.
• Coordinate the activities of the inter-professional team within primary care nursing.
• Use morbidity and mortality data of primary care nursing to guide decision making.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment strategies are applied and assessed in the classroom, practical venues and the authentic environment. Integrated assessment takes the form of an appropriate variety of assessment methods, for example: written and oral examinations, problem-solving assignments, project presentations, case studies, portfolios, logbooks, clinical scanning assessments and objectively structured clinical examinations, and reflective practice journals. Through the institution's policies on assessment and moderation, assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable to ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever.

Formative Assessment

Learning and assessment are integrated. The scheme of work includes tests and assignments, practical work and competency evaluation of practical skills. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the work with a limited number of outcomes.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessments evaluate the learners' abilities to manage and integrate a larger body of knowledge and to achieve the stated outcomes. The summative assessment also focuses on the learners' ability to integrate knowledge and skills in the area of child critical care. Summative assessments include theory and practical assessments.