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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Nursing in Critical Care and Trauma 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110874  Master of Nursing in Critical Care and Trauma 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  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 
Purpose:
This qualification is designed to enable nurse specialists in Critical Care Nursing to provide advanced nursing care to individuals with high risk and life threatening conditions, with special reference to the contextual variables in the Critical Care setting. Moreover, the qualification will lead to producing learners who can reflect critically on theory and its application and be able to deal with complex Critical Care issues systematically and creatively in order to improve health care outcomes for the community. Learners completing this qualification are able to function with advanced practical competencies within Critical Care Nursing resulting in the ability to function as leaders, consultants and specialist practitioners in providing evidence based Critical Care Nursing.

Rationale:
This qualification will provide a career path for professional nurses who would like to specialise in the field of Critical Care Nursing. Leaners learning towards this qualification will become advanced nurse practitioners within the area of Critical Care Nursing. This is a specialist area of nursing that involves caring for patients who are suffering from various life threatening illnesses or injuries, while at the same time offering comfort and support to their family members.

The Critical Care environment is highly technological, requiring the nurses to have a broad knowledge base (clinical skills and theoretical knowledge) and a high level of decision-making skills as they care for patients and their families who are in vulnerable circumstances. South Africa is currently facing an acute nursing crisis, and particularly a shortage of Critical Care Nurses which in turn results in Critical Care Units in the country closing as there are insufficient staff to run them.

The health sector needs advanced Critical Care Nurses with in-depth knowledge and skills to address this situation (Scribante and Bhagwanjee, 2007; Health Systems Trust, 2011). In addition, this qualification will prepare learners to engage with various Critical Care issues to improve outcomes through engagement with research, evidence based practice and best practice benchmarks in acute and rehabilitative strategies in Critical Care Nursing. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution.

An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 176 Credits:
  • Applied Critical Care Nursing, 16 Credits.
  • Essentials of Critical Care Nursing, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Practice Nurse Role, 16 Credits.
  • Trauma Nursing and Life Support, 16 Credits.
  • Nursing Research and Nursing Research Methods, 16 Credits.
  • Nursing Research Project, 96 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 16 Credits (Choose one):
  • Qualitative Research, 16 Credits.
  • Family Therapy, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Function at a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.
    2. Demonstrate critical reflection in the implementation and evaluation of national and local healthcare plans and policies.
    3. Implement reflexive practice using best practice benchmarks based on independent review, critique and synthesis of research outputs leading to improved critical care outcomes for individuals, groups and communities.
    4. Disseminate contextually relevant information not only within academic forums but also within critical care forums that represent key stakeholders within specific communities work placement/experiential learning. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Base practice on adequate, relevant and contemporary theory from nursing, ethics and related sciences.
  • Demonstrate competence in specialist skills in assessment, intervention and evaluation of care, with each competency including mastery of skills, teaching and researching it.
  • Articulate professional role within own specialist content area.
  • Function as a nurse scientist within own designated area.
  • Demonstrated functioning as a programme manager.
  • Assess community and service needs.
  • Plan and implement a programme and evaluate it.
  • Function as a consultant in a specialist field of practice.
  • Motivating for, initiate and stabilise change in a health service.
  • Develop nursing theory in a specialist area through practice and research.

    Integrated Assessment
    Case studies/assignments and seminars provide the opportunity for formative integrative assessment of knowledge, skills (cognitive and interpersonal) and attitudes. Formative theoretical assessments of accurate application of knowledge and skill with Critical Care clients on assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation while critically engaging with the different therapeutic approaches or schools of thought. Summative assessment is through a three hour examination, assessing the application of therapeutic principles and strategies (from international, national and local sources) to use the self as therapeutic tool, including critique of the chosen approaches. In addition, summative assessments assess the learner's ability to use reflective practice and problem solving skills to plan; implement and evaluate community health interventions aimed at improving health care outcomes. The research project is a practical real life integrated assessment of the student application and integration of knowledge from this qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing, Level 10.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Nursing in Nursing Research, Level 9. 
    		•

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.