SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Diploma in Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
101884  Diploma in Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
KHANYISA NURSING SCHOOL 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Diploma (Min 360)  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2021-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2033-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
Learners who obtain this qualification will be deemed competent in applying knowledge, affective, cognitive and conceptual skills and practice competencies to articulate to higher studies in nursing.

The qualification will provide a basis for decision-making about what is within and beyond the defined scope of practice, as well as understanding of the referral system in place for anything outside the scope of practice. The learner will be able to apply evidence-based nursing practice which is based on research or established practices that have proven to be effective both nationally and internationally within the profession.

Rationale:
This qualification serves to provide an entry level qualification to the profession of Nursing.

This qualification will prepare the qualifying learner as a generalist nurse who will be able to meet the service delivery needs of the country. The learner who has successfully completed this qualification will be able to contribute a significantly to the current situation of human resources in health in South Africa, taking into consideration the country's historical background and the shortage of professional nurses and doctors in the country. The practice of this Staff Nurse is focused on quality service delivery within a broad spectrum of health services and in a variety of settings, including rural areas.

This qualification will enable the learner to function as a clinically focused, service orientated, independent Registered Staff Nurse, who is able to render nursing care as determined by the appropriate legislative framework.

On successful completion of this qualification, the diplomat is eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council (SANC) as a Staff Nurse. Successful registration will license nurses to practice as a Staff Nurse as defined in the Nursing Act No. 33 of 2005. The Act defines a Staff Nurse as: "a person educated to practice basic nursing in the manner and to the level prescribed - according to relevant legislation and regulations". 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution shall recognise experience acquired by a learner through formal and informal learning.
  • The learner will be assessed on acquired knowledge and skills.
  • To enable the learner access to the qualification applied by assessing their competencies acquired previously.
  • Allow learners to be credited for modules acquired and successfully completed.
  • The Nursing School shall grant access/credits on basis of portfolio of evidence.
  • A candidate should provide a portfolio of evidence of sufficient and current learning associated with the qualfication's Exit Level Outcomes, offered by the nursing school.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning Policy should be followed by clear procedures.
  • Dissemination of information for recognition of prior learning is made available to candidates through the nursing school brochure/handouts.
  • Planning for staff development including that of administrative and support staff is crucial for the success of RPL.

    Assessment of prior learning shall be undertaken by well qualified and registered assessors.Quality assurance of the process of assessment is also done by registered moderators to ensure credits attained through the process of RPL meet Exit Level Outcomes of part of a full-time programme.

    Candidates who are not satisfied with the RPL outcome or wish to challenge the amount of credits awarded from RPL assessment may request further consideration. Such appeal must be completed within ten (10) working days of issue of notification of the outcome of assessment.
  • The candidate is actively involved in all aspects of the assessment process to ensure that the assessment is fair and transparent. Possible barriers to fair assessment are identified and addressed.
  • RPL assessor meets the candidate to conduct pre-screening to ensure viability of application.
  • If the candidate does not meet the minimum requirements in terms of language/numeracy and other competencies, the candidate is referred for further advice on alternative pathways.

    The development of standardised assessor is critical to ensure that the process followed in assessment adheres to the same principles of validity, reliability, practicability, sufficiency and currency.

    The Professional Body will ensure that the RPL processes and assessments have taken place in accordance with their requirements.

    Entry Requirements:
    Learners who enroll for this qualification should have any of the following:
  • National Senior Certificate.
    Or
  • Level 3 or Level 4 qualification.
    Or
  • Higher Certificate as a Nursing Auxiliary. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises modules totalling 360 Credits.

    First Academic Year:
  • Bio Medical Sciences, 8 Credits.
  • Psycho-Social Sciences, 4 Credits.
  • Pharmacology, 4 Credits.
  • Basic Nursing Care, 56 Credits.
  • Professionalism, Ethics and Legislation, 20 Credits.
  • Healthcare Information System, 8 Credits.
  • Reproductive Health Care, 20 Credits.

    Second Academic Year:
  • Bio Medical Sciences, 8 Credits.
  • Psycho-Social Sciences, 4 Credits.
  • Pharmacology, 4 Credits.
  • Basic Nursing Care, 56 Credits.
  • Professionalism, Ethics and Legislation, 6 Credits.
  • Management and Leadership, 12 Credits.
  • Reproductive Health Care, 30 Credits.

    Third Academic Year:
  • Basic Nursing Care, 40 Credits.
  • Professionalism, Ethics and Legislation, 8Credits.
  • Healthcare Information Systems, 6 Credits.
  • Management and Leadership, 43 Credits.
  • Reproductive Health Care, 23 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply knowledge of natural and biological sciences in the practice of nursing.
    2. Apply knowledge of psycho-social sciences in the practice of nursing.
    3. Apply knowledge of pharmacology in nursing practice.
    4. Provide nursing care throughout the lifespan in various healthcare settings.
    5. Render nursing care within a legal and ethical framework.
    6. Use and maintain healthcare information systems for nursing practice.
    7. Manage a healthcare unit by implementing the management process.
    8. Provide reproductive health care to promote and maintain optimum health of individuals and families. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology in caring for the health care user.
  • Apply knowledge of microbiology in caring for the health care user.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply knowledge of psychology and sociology in ways which benefits the quality of healthcare delivered to health care users.
  • Understand and apply knowledge of human behavior and psychological development throughout the life span.
  • Implement social and diversity-sensitive care in nursing practice.
  • Identify and manage a range of psychological emergency situations are accordingly.
  • Deal with emotional demands of nursing practice effectively.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Apply knowledge of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in nursing practice within the applicable scope of practice.
  • Administrate medications that are prescribed, controlled, dispensed in various healthcare settings within legislative requirements.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Provide a preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative nursing care to different age groups in various health care settings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Render nursing care within an ethical legal framework.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Use and maintain healthcare information systems in the practice of nursing.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Implement the management process in managing a health care unit.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Promote and maintain the optimum health of individuals and families is through the provision of reproductive health care.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Evaluation - This is done in both theory and practical situations. Theory is evaluated continuously in the form of class tests, assignments and projects. Practical skills are continuously evaluated by learning instruments and progress.

    Summative Evaluation - Summative Evaluation is done towards the end of the course in the form of a written examination. This evaluation takes place by means of an Organised Structured Clinical (OSCE) and written examination, which aims at cognitive, affective and psychomotor aspects of a learner. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    South Africa is an active member of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) as well as the International Labour Organisation (ILO), member of the African Union (AU), formerly the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Commonwealth. The qualification would meet the recognition requirements throughout Sub-Saharan Africa.

    Comparison of Qualifications:
    In recognition of the reality of globalisation of nursing and nursing personnel, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) (2001) recommended "global" competencies for the generalist nurse. The ICN defined the generalist nurse as:
    "A person who has completed a programme of basic nursing education and is qualified in her/his country to practice nursing. The educational programme prepares the nurse, through study of behavioural, life and nursing sciences and clinical experience, for effective practice and direction of nursing care, and for the leadership role. The first level (generalist) nurse is responsible for planning, providing and evaluating nursing care in all settings for the promotion of health, prevention of illness, care of the sick and rehabilitation; and functions as a member of a health team".
    The ICN further differentiates between what they refer to as a first and a second level nurse. The first level nurse refers to the generalist nurse in current SA terms. The second level nurse on the other hand refers to a nurse who has completed a programme of study including "nursing theory and clinical practice" (p. 2) in preparation for practicing nursing under the supervision of the first level nurse. This would be the enrolled nurse or the enrolled nursing assistant in SA terms.

    The roles of the Generalist Nurse include: Promotion of health, and prevention of illness of individuals of all ages, families and communities; planning and management of care if individuals of all ages, families and communities with physical or mental illness, disabilities or rehabilitation needs in institutional and community settings and care at the end-stage of life.

    The ICN defined the competencies of the Generalist Nurse as: "a level of performance demonstrating the effective application of knowledge, skill and judgment". Three broad categories of competencies are identified. These include:
  • Professional, ethical and legal competence.
  • Care provision and management.
  • Professional development.

    The World Health Organisation on the other hand has placed emphasis on the issues surrounding the relevance of the education of health professionals. The basic premise on which the WHO's recommendations are based is that effective education of health professionals must produce health professionals who are "responsive to needs to the needs of the populations they serve, in order to achieve the goal of health for all", and that such an education should be "based largely in the community, or in any of a variety of health service settings". In this regard, the WHO recommends that education of health professionals be community-based. The WHO views community based education as "consisting of learning activities that use the community extensively as a learning environment". 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers specific articulation opportunities with the following qualifications:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Diploma: General Nursing Care, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Emergency Care, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Emergency Medical Care, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma: Critical Care Nursing, Level 7.
  • Advanced Diploma: Health Services Management and Leadership, Level 7.
  • Advanced University Diploma: Midwifery and Neonatal Nursing, Level 7.
  • Professional Degree: Nursing and Midwifery, Level 8. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.