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
102001  Diploma in Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
CHATSMED CANDLELIGHT 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:
This qualification will enable the learner to function as a clinically focused, service oriented, independent Registered Staff Nurse, who is able to render nursing care determined by the appropriate legislative framework.

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

The qualification aims to:
  • Produce high quality learners who are able to be competent nursing practitioners in a rage of health service setting.
  • Provide learners with a rage of skills, knowledge and attitudes that will enable them to make a meaningful and sustained contribution to health services.
  • Equip learners with a developed sense of equity, justice and service ethics that will ensure that they work in an accountable manner, irrespective of their chosen work place.
  • Offer a wide range of transferable skills for application in other professions, disciplines and general life. These include:
    > A methodical, solution-based approach to problem solving.
    > An empowerment strength-based approach to personal development.
    > Capability to assess and implement and health and other policies.
    > The ability to work independently and as part of team.

    Rationale:
    This qualification will prepare the qualifying learner as a Generalist Nurse who will be able to meet the service delivery needs of the country. This qualification will make a significant contribution to the current situation of the 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 nurse is focused on quality service delivery within a broad spectrum of health service and in a variety of settings, including rural areas.

    On successful completion of the qualification, the learner is eligible for registration with the South African Nursing Council as a staff Nurse. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    An application must be submitted according to the Recognition of Prior Learning Policy of the Nursing Education institution for individual assessment for Recognition of Prior Learning process for access to this qualification or credit bearing exemption.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum requirements for admission into the Diploma are:
  • National Senior Certificate.
    Or
  • Level 3 or Level 4 qualification.
    Or
  • Higher Certificate: Nursing Auxiliary. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at year 1 to year 3 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
    Year 1:
  • Bio Medical Sciences, 8 Credits.
  • Psycho-Social Sciences, 4 Credits.
  • Pharmacology, 4 Credits.
  • Basic Nursing, 56 Credits.
  • Professionalism, Ethics and Legislation, 20 Credits.
  • Health Informatics, 8 Credits.
  • Reproductive Health, 20 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
    Year 2:
  • Bio Medical Sciences, 8 Credits.
  • Psycho-Social Sciences, 4 Credits.
  • Pharmacology, 4 Credits.
  • Basic Nursing, 56 Credits.
  • Professionalism, Ethics and Legislation, 6 Credits.
  • Management and Leadership, 12 Credits.
  • Reproductive Health, 30 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, 120 Credits:
    Year 3:
  • Basic Nursing, 40 Credits.
  • Ethics and Legislation, 8 Credits.
  • Health Information systems, 6 Credits.
  • Management and Leadership, 43 Credits.
  • Reproductive Health, 23 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Provide nursing care throughout the lifespan in various healthcare settings.
    2. Render nursing care within a legal and ethical framework.
    3. Apply knowledge of natural and biological sciences in the practice of nursing.
    4. Apply knowledge of psycho-social sciences in the practice of nursing.
    5. Apply knowledge of pharmacology in nursing practice.
    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:
  • Provide preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative nursing care to different age groups in various health care settings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Render nursing care within an ethical legal framework.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • 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 4:
  • 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 behaviour 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 accordingly.
  • Deal with emotional demands of nursing practice effectively.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Apply knowledge of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics in nursing practice within the applicable scope of practice.
  • Prescribe, control, dispense and administer medications in various healthcare settings within legislative requirements.

    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 through the provision of reproductive health care.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The institution's assessment has a correlation of theory and practice. It is the policy of the school that learners commence their training in the lecture room and not in the clinical area to allow for gradual blending into the nursing procedures and the nursing at this is aimed at introducing psychomotor as introduction as well as cognitive skills in a controlled atmosphere of the lecture room.

    Whilst in the lecture room nurse educators will introduce learners to practical lessons by first teaching theory related to the procedure and then progressing to the clinical laboratory for the purpose of demonstration whilst learners observe. The learners are expected to be in smaller groups to demonstrate back to the nurse educators in the clinical laboratory.

    Learners are encouraged to practice during their own time and all this takes place in a well resourced clinical laboratory, where equipment in a simulated area resembles a hospital ward setting.

    Before learners are allocated in the clinical area they undergo an orientation type of practical assessment which serves to identify, and correct problems related to correlation of theory and practical.

    The whole process then is continued in the practical area where clinical facilitators will teach, demonstrate and assess and nurse educators will accompany learners establishing the proper "mix" between theory and practical and this is followed by assessments which are continuous until final evaluation at the end of training.

    The school holds monthly clinical meetings with clinical facilitators and nurse educators where progress of learners is discussed, and problems identified. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Kenya Medical Training College(Nakuru campus), Diploma in Nursing & Midwifery.
    Registered Nurse -training program regulated by the state and graduates licensed by Nursing Council/Body.
  • A registered nurse guided by scope of practice legislated & regulated by a professional body or council-.
  • Registered nurses practice in a wide variety of professional settings, and often specialize in a field of practice.
  • They may be responsible for supervising care delivered by other health workers, including student nurses, licensed practical nurses, unlicensed assistive personnel and less experienced registered nurses.
  • Registered nurses must meet a minimum practice hours required.
  • Registered nurses undertake continuing education to maintain their license- even though SA will start in 2018.
  • There is often a requirement that a registered nurse remain free from serious criminal convictions-.
  • Registered nurse training done in public &, private colleges as well as Universities.
  • Course content same for general nursing but differs when they add midwifery modules and duration is 3.5yrs.
  • Entry requirement similar with English as the medium of instruction.

    India, SGT University Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary, Diploma in Nursing General & Midwifery.
  • Nursing students gain knowledge in many disciplines closely related to medicine and discovers a diverse approach towards the field.
  • Studying and living in India are considerably less expensive than in many other parts of the world.
  • India requires that all universities be accredited, meaning that no matter which university you attend, your Diploma in Nursing will be recognised at other universities and major companies in and outside of India,(i.e. Worldwide portable Diploma) e.g. South African Private Hospitals have recruited Registered Nurses from India.
  • They specialise either in hospital or private practice and focus on families, individuals and communities.
  • The academic schedule contains health and public health sciences, theory and techniques for treatments, as well as procedures and rules of best practices. However, theory and research has a high importance in the programme.
  • Some of the fields with high career potential in nursing are related to adults, children, mental health, practice, education and the academic environment.
  • Registered nurses course is regulated and licensed by India Nursing Council and other professional bodies.
  • Registered nurses practice in a wide variety of professional settings, and often specialize in a field of practice, mental health etc.
  • Registered nurse training done in public ,private colleges as well as Universities-RNs work in a variety of setting.
  • Program has similar course content for General nursing but differ when they add Midwifery modules.
  • Specialization to mental health, intensive care etc.
  • Similar entry requirements with English as the medium of instruction. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification enables articulation possibilities with the following.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • National Diploma in Nursing: Staff nurse, Level 6.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced Diploma: Midwifery, 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.