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:

Higher Certificate in Nursing

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
109619	Higher Certificate in Nursing
ORIGINATOR
Sizanesu Nursing Training Institute
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate	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	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2019-05-29	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

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:
The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Nursing is to provide learners with the basic knowledge, affective, cognitive and conceptual tools and practical techniques for additional higher education studies in nursing. The knowledge emphasises general principles and their application in the provision of basic nursing care. This qualification signifies that the learner has attained a basic level of higher education knowledge and competence in nursing and is capable of applying such knowledge and competence in the workplace.

The qualification aims to:

Produce nurses that will provide basic nursing care in all spheres of health care service delivery.

Provide the nurse with a wide range of cognitive, affective and psychomotor skills.

Hone skills in assessment, planning and implementation basic nursing care.

Develop writing and oral communication skills.

The qualifying learner will be able to:

Apply knowledge of theory and practice of basic nursing care.

Assess, plan, implement and evaluate basic nursing care for individuals and groups throughout the life span.

Demonstrate professionalism when rendering basic nursing care.

Rationale:
A first level nurse, capable of delivering skilled basic nursing care, is essential to health care in a variety of settings. Combining nursing care with prevention and promotion makes this nurse a strong primary health care worker. The competence of this first level nurse will be in line with the recommendation of the Pick Report nurse training to be expanded to include essential skills needed in the community. The qualification is to independently in a variety of health care settings within the relevant legal and ethical parameters. A first level nurse works under the supervision of a nurse with a National Diploma or Degree in Nursing within the applicable scope of practice.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for access to this qualification or credit bearing exemptions, an application must be submitted according to the RPL policy of the Nursing Education Institution for individual assessment.

Entry Requirements:
Access to this qualification is:

A National Senior Certificate.
Or

An equivalent qualification at exit Level 4.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 5, totalling 120 Credits:

Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacology, 16 Credits.

Effective Communication, 4 Credits.

Basic Nursing Care, 66 Credits.

Transcultural Nursing, 4 Credits.

Professionalism Practice and Ethics, 6 Credits.

Basic Community Nursing, 24 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply basic knowledge of anatomy, physiology, biophysics, pharmacology and microbiology in the provision of nursing care.
2. Communicate effectively in a variety of ways in a nursing context.
3. Use the scientific nursing approach to address the basic needs of individuals and groups in various health care settings.
4. Demonstrate appropriate methods of interacting sensitively and professionally with people from diverse backgrounds.
5. Maintain professionalism in nursing practice within the ethical and legal framework.
6. Participate in addressing the needs of individuals and groups in a community.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Demonstrate understanding of macro body structure and functioning provided by the nursing care, in accordance with the relevant scope of practice.

Demonstrate an understanding of the structure and functioning of anatomy, physiology, biophysics, pharmacology and microbiology in the provision of nursing care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Maintain oral and written communication to promote effective fundamental nursing care.

Write clear, relevant and unambiguous communication.

Ensure that non-verbal communication is congruent with oral communication.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Implement and evaluate individual and/or group health care plans across the health-illness continuum in collaboration with other members of the health care team.

Correctly apply information obtained from continuous monitoring of responses to nursing interventions to the individual or group.

Ensure appropriate emergency care and first aid principles in respect of treatment of injuries and accidents and basic life support.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Implement basic nursing interventions with sensitivity to people of diverse backgrounds.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Record data in compliance with legal criteria.

Maintain patient records accurately, concisely and systematically, to reflect the basic nursing care rendered.

Maintain confidentiality and integrity of patient information in interaction with patients and others.

Display adherence to professional code of conduct in provision of nursing care.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Implement health promotion programmes.

Integrated Assessment:
The Qualification will comprise of formative, practical and summative assessments.

Formative Assessment:

Tests will be written in each of the four (4) theoretical blocks on each module.

There will be a total of four (4) tests written for each module per academic year.

There will be one assignment or a case study for each module per academic year.

Learners will have work books to complete whilst doing practical assignments.

Evaluation tools will be used for work integrated learning assessments.

Learners will be given projects to complete.

Practical:

Learners will undergo practical accompaniment evaluations during which time they will perform procedures and will be given feedback about procedure and corrective counselling by clinical facilitators.

Remedial activities will be done where a learner is not yet competent.

Work books will be kept by learners for completion during practical assignments.

A practical evaluation will be done in the practical facility where the learners will interact with the patient to evaluate their competence.

An objective structured examination (OSCE) comprising five (5) minute stations will be done to objectively assess theory and practical integration.

Summative Assessment:

The internal Summative Assessment comprised of theory and practical will be conducted.

The South African Nursing Council examination will be written at the end of the qualification.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

Switzerland:
An assistant Nursing Qualification which is basic nursing care, is offered at Chester Career college.

Career opportunities are in hospitals, long-term care facilities, Nursing Care facilities, Community care facilities, physician's office, home help facilities and clinics.

United Kingdom (UK):
The initial nursing Qualification is called Nursing Assistant or patient care assistant who helps to provide compassionate care to individuals who are not able to fully care for themselves.

One of the UK Colleges is Arizona with sub-campuses. Learners are introduced to key Public health practices and concepts through both direct observation and classroom experience.

With experience and further training nursing assistant can become enrolled nurses or Registered nurses.

Job opportunities can be found at residential care facilities, homes, carers, hospitals, group home, home health and Nursing home.

Australia:
In Australia an assistant nursing qualification is to enable the Nursing assistant and help nurses provide patients with direct support and service in health and community centres and environments. Learners need to be able to perform the variety of patients and services.

Conclusion:
This qualification compares favorably with the above cited international qualification in terms of the focus on knowledge, practical experience and job opportunities.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:

Certificate in Pharmacy Support and Social Auxiliary Work, Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

Diploma in Nursing, Level 6.

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.

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