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: 

Advanced Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
10371  Advanced Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science 
ORIGINATOR
Life Healthcare Group (prev College of Learning/Afrox Coll of Nursing) 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Advanced Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 6  NQF Level 07  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The purpose of the qualification is to develop the intellectual and practical skills and professional values of the learner to:
  • set and monitor nursing care standards
  • improve policy decisions
  • provide a cost-effective service
  • improve patient care outcomes
  • investigate and solve service care problems
  • act as a resource to health workers
  • assist with the implementation of nursing development and new concepts into practice
  • teach patient, nurses and other health workers in the specialised field of study

    The qualification prepares the learner for a science-based career in a specialised field of nursing science and provides employment opportunities to qualified learners.

    A qualified learner provides benefits to society and the South African economy in terms of counteracting the shortage of nurses in specialised areas.

    The programme is designed in line with the health care needs of the South African society. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Entrance requirements:

    Learners who are admitted to this qualification must comply with the following entrance requirements:
  • A senior certificate or equivalent at NQF level 4
  • The ability to read, write and negotiate orally in English
  • Knowledge of biological and social sciences on NQF level 5
  • Proof of at least six months clinical nursing experience in the chosen field of speciality
  • Registration as a nurse with the South African Nursing Council
  • Proof of personal, professional indemnity insurance coverage
  • Written permission from employer for participation in the programme

    Recognition of prior learning:

    Recognition of prior learning will be given to learners who meet all but the first assumptions of learning listed above. Admission will be granted to learners who can provide documented evidence of:
  • The ability to provide, manage and facilitate comprehensive nursing/health care practice based on a scientific approach
  • At least one-year clinical nursing experience in the chosen field of speciality 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Specific outcomes:

    On completion of the programme learners should demonstrate the following essential outcomes:

    1. Manage complex clinical problems using critical and creative thinking
    2. Interpret and implement research findings and other innovations
    3. Render quality patient care using systematic information, science and technology appropriately
    4. Develop nursing science through research involvement
    5. Carry out a cost analysis of area(s) of the specialist service
    6. Set clinical standards and measure quality of care
    7. Carry out a situational analysis, plan, implement and evaluate service improvements
    8. Develop a sound view and philosophy of life and a continued understanding of the influence of different views of life on the thoughts and behaviour of man
    9. Demonstrate respect for the dignity and uniqueness of man in his social, cultural and religious context and approach, as well as an understanding of man as a complete being within this context
    10. Apply a systematic approach to the nursing of man in the various phases of life at any point along the health/sickness continuum, in situations inside and outside the hospital
    11. Maintain ethical codes of the profession and practice within the provisions of the appropriate legislation
    12. Develop, organise and demonstrate evidence of contributions to a comprehensive health service
    13. Define and accept responsibility for independent nursing practice
    14. Co-operate within the nursing and multi-disciplinary team according to the principles of co-responsibility for and collaborate with a view to achieve a common objective
    15. Develop and implement operational leadership, managerial and teaching skills

    Critical cross-field outcomes:

    Because the critical cross-field outcomes prescribed by SAQA are integral to the process of nursing education, they are potentially embedded in all the specific outcomes.

    In the above outcomes the emphasis are as follows:

    1. Problem solving, critical and creative thinking: This outcome is embedded in all the specific outcomes of the programme in order to function as an independent nurse practitioner.
    2. Working effectively as a member of a team: This outcome is embedded in specific outcomes 2, 5, 7, 9 and 13
    3. Self-organisation and management: This outcome is embedded in specific outcomes 6, 7, 11 and 13
    4. Information processing: This outcome is embedded in specific outcomes 2, 4, 5, 7 and 13
    5. Communicating effectively: This outcome is embedded in all the specific outcomes of the programme in order to function as an independent nurse practitioner
    6. Effective and critical use of science and technology: This outcome is embedded in specific outcomes 1-7, 10 and 15
    7. Demonstrating a systematic understanding of the world: This outcome is embedded in all the specific outcomes of the programme in order to function as an independent nurse practitioner.
    8. Reflecting on and exploring learning strategies: This outcome is embedded in specific outcome 15
    9. Participating as citizens in social life: This outcome is embedded in all the specific outcomes through the practice of nursing
    10. Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts: This outcome is embedded in all the specific outcomes of the programme, in which learners will identify and respond to the needs of a diverse group of health care users
    11. Exploring education and career opportunities: This outcome is embedded in all the specific outcomes of the programme. Learners will identify their personal learning needs for further development. (Link to articulation possibilities in 8)
    12. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities: This outcome is embedded in all the specific outcomes of the programme because the learner is prepared to function as an independent nurse practitioner at primary, secondary and tertiary health care levels 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Assessment and evaluation during the programme takes place through a process of continuous evaluation, based on a comprehensive and integrated approach.

    The criteria for assessing learners are based on the learning outcomes listed above and the strategies that will be used to ensure that the specific and critical cross-field outcomes are achieved comprise:

    Formative assessment by means of:
  • case presentations
  • nursing ward rounds
  • assignments
  • nursing care plans
  • workbooks
  • tests
  • oral presentations by individuals and project teams
  • clinical evaluations

    Summative evaluation by means of:
  • written and oral examinations
  • clinical examination

    Integrated assessment:

    To attain the qualification, every qualifying learner would have demonstrated his/her:
  • discipline and scientific-related knowledge and insight
  • discipline-related skills aimed at:
    - problem identification and solving
    - applying scientific methodology - both theoretically and practically
    - acquiring, analysing and interpreting scientific data
    - scientific interaction and teamwork
    - appreciation of academic values that should reflect in his/her attitude towards and service to society 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Credits on the grounds of corresponding courses successfully completed at other nursing colleges, universities and technikons, are recognised for this qualification.

    Exit from the qualification is only possible after the completion of the total programme.

    Learners who are (or have been) registered for this qualification at another higher education institution will be allowed to enter mid-stream. Such learners will retain credits for modules that have been passed, after recognition by the relevant institution.

    Learners who have successfully completed this programme with specialisation in a particular clinical field, who wish to specialise in another clinical field, will retain credit for the modules that have been passed.

    Exit from this qualification after successful completion of the required credits, qualifies the learner for registration of an applicable additional qualification with the South African Nursing Council.

    A qualified learner can link the Diploma in Medical and Surgical Nursing Science to the Honours or Masters degree at a University.

    The qualification is internationally recognised by Nursing Regulatory bodies for nursing practice licensing. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Individual models are moderated by accredited assessors with an equivalent qualification at the Department of Nursing Science, University of Port Elizabeth (now Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University).

    Accreditation of the programme is also performed by the South African Nursing Council. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The qualifications of an assessor must be:
  • Registration as a general nurse with the applicable additional qualification for the relevant specialisation field of nursing
  • Registration in nursing education with the South African Nursing Council
  • At least two years experience of teaching at a tertiary/higher education level 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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.
     
    1. Life Healthcare Group (prev College of Learning/Afrox Coll of Nursing) 
    2. Life Healthcare: Cape Town 
    3. Life Healthcare: Durban 
    4. Life Healthcare: East London 
    5. Life Healthcare: Port Elizabeth 
    6. Life Healthcare: Pretoria 
    7. Life Healthcare: Roodepoort 
    8. Life Healthcare: Springs 


    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.